Novel actuation of an integrated peristaltic micropump

Description/Abstract

The design and production of sequencing and driver circuits to operate a peristaltic silicon micro pump integrated within a lab-on-a-chip are described. The micropump consists of three serial elements composed of piezoelectric discs glued to a 200 μm glass diaphragm, which upon actuation rise from connecting channels. Sequential actuation of the elements within the micropump in the desired fashion has been shown to pump a one microlitre droplet of water back and forth in a controlled way through the reaction chambers in the lab-on-a-chip. Two electrical circuits have been created and tested and are presented here. The relationship of the relative deflection of the three piezoelectric disks glued to a 200 μm glass diaphragm versus applied voltage has been evaluated using a Michelson interferometer. The novel actuation method developed here has successfully operated the pump and the interferometric method can now be used to optimize the pump.