Elasto-Magnetic Pumps for Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Abstract

In recent decades the development of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices has accelerated dramatically, revolutionising the fields of microbiology and medicine. However, these systems are not without limitations. Many of these devices are powered by comparatively large and expensive external pumping systems, which limit their widespread applications in areas such as point of care medical devices. As such there is a need to carry out research into miniaturising the pumping systems in order to be integrated directly within the device. The same is true for the reliance on macroscopic sample preparation such as particle filtration. This thesis will focus on a new class of elasto-magnetic pumps and the physical rinciples underpinning their functionality when integrated within microfluidic lab-on-a-chip devices, as well as investigating the novel use of herringbone micromixers for particle filtration.