Micro-Scale Fluid Control (Microfluidics and Nanofluidics)
Micro pump reference design: 10x smaller with higher
precision, no pulsation
Micro pumps are designed to move microliter and nanoliter volumes of fluid in a
precisely controlled manner. Applications include:
- Lab-on-a-chip systems: integrating laboratory functions,
such as blood analysis or contaminant detection, on a single
chip using extremely small fluid volumes
- Drug delivery devices: pumps and syringes
- Micro fuel cells
- IC cooling: pumping fluids through micro-channels on
integrated circuits
- Micro lubrication systems: using fine mist rather
than a flood of lubricant, reducing waste
- Spacecraft thrusters
- Liquid optics: controlling the fluid to focus the liquid lens
Most micro pumps today employ flexing diaphragms and peristaltic
motion. This creates pulses of uneven pressure. Flow precision
depends on the backpressure.
A micro pump design based SQUIGGLE motors and TRACKER position
sensors overcomes these
limitations. New Scale's reference design uses
the SQUIGGLE motor's precise linear motion to directly move a
reciprocating piston or bellows. The TRACKER position sensor
provides high-resolution control of the fluid. This positive
displacement pump design enables higher precision, pressure and flow
in a package that is one tenth the size of existing micro pumps. It
offers:
- Sub-nanoliter flow resolution
- Smooth flow without pulsation
- Flow precision independent of backpressure
- Low sensitivity to bubbles and particles
- Scaleable pressure and flow rate
- Self priming capability
- Size smaller than a pen cap
(one tenth the size of competitive designs)
- Lowest power
- Low cost in high volumes
For more information about this reference design, download the
technical paper
Positive
Displacement Microfluidic Pump using SQUIGGLE motors.
(830Kb PDF).
Medical Fluid Handling Applications
SQUIGGLE motors are used in medical laboratory applications for
MRI-compatible syringe pumps. They also enable smaller wearable and implantable medical devices.
The small size of the pump allows the system to be used in
battery-operated, hand-held devices. See medical applications for SQUIGGLE
motors.
TRACKER position sensors can be used in concert with SQUIGGLE
motors or other drives for precision closed-loop control of
laboratory automation systems. They can be used to control position
and flow in in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) systems.
Automotive Fluid Control
SQUIGGLE motors and TRACKER position sensors can be used for fuel flow and
air flow valves in automotive applications and other markets.
Learn More
Contact us for more information
about using SQUIGGLE motors for micro pumps, micro valves, and other
fluid control applications.
