Increasing the fluid flow velocity in a microchannel using 3D non-metallic electrodes

Abstract

Handling and manipulating fluid using AC-electroosmosis pumping has recently shown some success. However most AC-electroosmosis pumps studied previously were fabricated using metals such as gold and titanium, which restrict the geometry of electrodes to planar shapes. Previously we have shown that conductive polymers can be used to fabricate 3D planar and high aspect ratio electrodes to drive fluid inside microchannels. This paper presents experimental testing of two designs of AC electroosmotic micropumps for different applied voltages and fluid conductivities