A fuel-free polymer-based micropump with optically tunable pumping directions. Issue 8 (4th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Yutong; Wang, Danchen; Li, Jieai; Sun, Yunyu; Li, Mingtong; Zhang, Hui; Duan, Ruomeng; Zhang, Dafeng; Song, Bo; Dong, Bin
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 2299
• Page End: 2304
• Publication Date: 2019-02-04
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Optical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Electronics -- Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/c8tc06404k
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-7526

Abstract

Abstract : We report a fuel-free micropump with optically tunable pumping directions and unique heartbeat-like pumping behavior. Abstract : Micropumps, especially those based on polymers, have shown great potential in sensing and mass transportation applications. However, polymer-based micropumps only exhibit a certain pumping direction, which is not adjustable, thus limiting their further applications. In this paper, a light-driven micropump with tunable pumping directions is reported. The direction control of this micropump relies on the photothermal effect of the polymeric component and the light-induced release of the encapsulated surfactant. Both on–off, inward and outward, or even the unique heartbeat-like pumping behaviors could be realized. The direction-controlled micropump has great potential for a variety of applications. Among others, it has the ability to rectify the fluid flow or accelerate the solution stirring.