Micropump
A micropump is a pump of reduced size, more precisely a microsystem , preferably with a delivery rate similar to that of classic pumps.
background
The micropump is a microsystem technology product that , due to its characteristics, can be used across industries in many applications and can contribute to product innovations. As a driving system, the pump is one of the core products of microfluidics . It plays a decisive role in many applications.
The trend towards microsystems is essentially due to the market requirements z. B. of portable devices or for integrability with reduced installation space.
technical realization
There is a wide range of technical implementations of micropumps. Macropump principles are often transferred to the micro-world. Oscillating membranes, for example, are also often used in micropumps. Peristaltic systems are an imitation of nature. In the case of non-mechanical pumps in particular, there are great advantages through miniaturization. Electric or magnetic fields are sometimes used here. Due to the small geometries, very high electrical or magnetic field strengths can be achieved. The effect - electrokinetic, electrohydrodynamic, electrohydromagnetic, electrochemical etc. - is many times more effective than in the macro world. The selection of the micropump type depends heavily on the requirements and on the fluid or gas, or its physical and chemical properties.
The delivery rate and the pump pressure, as well as the media that can be pumped, vary greatly with the various micropumps. Pumping rates of a few picoliters up to several milliliters per minute can be achieved.
Systems currently available on the market are built with different technologies and different modes of operation. Silicon technology , plastics technology , cutting processes are common manufacturing techniques.
Web links
- Fraunhofer IZM (ed.): Silicon diaphragm pump
- Functional principle of a micropump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joz1x4WV5Zw