Micromixer based on dielectric stack actuators for medical applications

Based on a previously developed microperistaltic pump[1], a micromixer made out of dielectric stack actuators is proposed. The micromixer will be able to mix two fluids at a microscale, pumping both fluids in and out of the device. The device consists of three chambers. In the first and second chamber, fluids A and B are hosted, while in the third chamber, fluids A and B are mixed. The fluid flow regime is laminar. The application of voltage leads to an increase of the size of a gap in the z-axis direction (7.4 times), due to the actuators area expansion. This makes a 40 µm channel open through which the fluid flows. The frequency of the actuation of the different actuators allows an increase of the flow rate. The micromixer can be used for applications such as drug delivery and synthesis of nucleic acids, the proposed device will be made of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as dielectric and graphite powder as electrode material. PDMS is a biocompatible material, widely used in the prosthesis field. Mixing fluids at a microscale is also in need in the lab-on-a-chip technology for complex chemical reactions