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Increasing pumping efficiency in a micro throttle pump by enhancing displacement amplification in an elastomeric substrate

We demonstrate the use of embedded, solid, reinforcing structures within elastomeric microthrottle pump substrates to direct bulk elastomer deformation resulting from piezoelectric actuation so as to increase displacement normal to the resting elastomer surface plane. Increased displacement enhances the efficiency of microthrottle structures controlling liquid flow in microstructured flow channels resulting in doubling of both pumping rate and back-pressure compared to a non reinforced control device. Resulting pumping rates of 2ml/min are particularly high for micropumps in general. The work was conducted within a collaboration with Tokyo City University, one of whose researchers and co-author, was seconded to Hertfordshire.