Realization of a linear peristaltic pump using smart materials

Micro-pumps are defined as pumps that are millimeter in scale or smaller, or they are pumps that handle fluid amounts equal to or less than several milliliters per minute. Such pumps are used in various fields such as drug delivery and point-of-care testing in so-called lab-on-a-chip systems. One such pump is a peristaltic pump, which can mimic the human esophagus and move delicate fluids without damage or contamination. Application of these devices can be limited by the miniaturization of actuators – devices that convert energy into mechanical work. For her PhD research, Eva Ann Sideris looked at the use of smart material actuators as a promising solution for creating compact pumps, offering the added advantage of design flexibility.

Exploring new frontiers with smart materials

Eva Ann Sideris’ PhD research journey began with an exhaustive review of the current landscape of solid-state electromechanical smart material actuator-operated pumps, unveiling the unutilized potential of ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) for use in linear peristaltic micro-pumps. The materials used in such pumps are referred to as being 'smart' given that they are materials that are active and that they can respond to environmental stimuli with precise shape changes.

In collaboration with the University of Tartu in Estonia, Sideris looked at the fabrication challenges associated with making IPMCs. An innovative Ag electrode deposition technique using stencil printing was investigated.

Although initially promising, this method encountered short-circuiting issues due to Ag dendritic growth. To overcome this, a combination of room temperature ionic liquids was explored, along with electrodes inspired by the chemistry of Ag-AgCl standard reference electrodes in aqueous media, resulting in a stable, high-performance spray-painted actuator.


Kirigami inspiration

With further research required for the newly developed smart material actuator, Sideris shifted focus to the utilization of traditional IPMCs for pump construction, as they are also electrically driven bending trilayers.

This phase of the study for Sideris and her collaborators involved the design, construction, testing, and modeling of a peristaltic pump using these established materials. In partnership with Delft University of Technology, Sideris designed a micro-pump for low activation voltages, offering easy manufacturing, utilizing a modular 3D-printed structure, and featuring a planar configuration.

Driven by a monolithic distributed IPMC actuator, the design incorporated multiple actuation units separated both electrically and mechanically. Interestingly, this approach was inspired in part by kirigami, the art of cutting and folding paper.

Optimization of pump performance

Sideris’ research culminated with the development of a tool for fast and cost-effective optimization of the pump’s fluid flow by fine-tuning the dimensions of the actuation elements and their operation sequence.

Moreover, in collaboration with the Mechanics of Materials group at Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands, she created a model to refine the actuator's dimensions and explore the effects of its kirigami-based design on pumping transduction.

Insights from the research led to the proposal of a novel pump design, enhancing performance and expanding the potential of the experimental concept.

Linear peristaltic pump, Smart materials, Actuator technology, Shape memory alloys, Electroactive polymers, Biomimetic pumping, Fluid control systems, Soft robotics, Medical devices, Microfluidics, Autonomous pumping, Smart fluidics, Piezoelectric materials, Responsive polymers

#ScienceFather#InventionsAwards#SmartMaterials#PeristalticPump#ActuatorTech#FluidControl#Biomimetics#Microfluidics#ShapeMemoryAlloys#EAPolymers#AdaptiveSystems#SoftRobotics#MedicalDevices#FlexibleElectronics

Event Title : International Inventions Awards

Event Website : Visit: inventionawards.org

Award Nomination Link - https://inventionawards.org/award-nomination/?ecategory=Awards&rcategory=Awardee
Award Registration Link - https://inventionawards.org/award-registration/
Member Nomination Link - https://inventionawards.org/member-submission/?ecategory=Membership&rcategory=Member
Member Registration Link - https://inventionawards.org/member-registration/
Award Winners Link - https://inventionawards.org/award-winners/


For Enquiries: contact@inventionawards.org


Get Connected Here
---------------------------------
---------------------------------

Social Media Links:

YouTube link : youtube.com/channel/UCEiGMaNVAzN2gdfeRad-NjA
Twitter link : x.com/Scitentist55046
Pinterest link : pinterest.com/scitentist/