Non-mechanical continuous flow micropumps for biomedical applications

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This research will focus on investigating non-mechanical micropumping methods for making small devices to pump fluid in bio-medical devices. The fluid will be pumped using electricity through small microneedles. The chosen area of research is specifically aimed at improving patient care by removing the need for hypodermic syringes and providing the path into automated drug delivery methods. Specifically, AC electrokinetic techniques will be investigated for pumping fluids through custom made silicon microneedle arrays. Microneedle arrays penetrate the upper part of skin, avoiding the nerves, allowing for practically painless skin penetration. The investigation will focus on the need to create small, low power, reliable devices. Traditional methods of fabricating the devices will be used initially, such as photolithography, coupled with computer simulations to design optimal devices. During the later stages of the research, fabrication will transition to alternate technologies, such as commercial silicon chip manufacturing processes and laser micromachining.