A gallium-based liquid metal electrically-driven micropump structure for on-chip organ chips

By designing a gallium-based liquid metal electrically driven micropump structure, the problem of large size and weight of organ-on-a-chip micropumps has been solved, realizing a micropump with adjustable fluid flow rate, small size and light weight, which is suitable for organ-on-a-chip in aerospace medical research. It reduces the interference of bubbles and metal ions, and promotes the integration and lightweighting of organ-on-a-chip.

CN117680213BActive Publication Date: 2026-06-30HARBIN INST OF TECH
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
HARBIN INST OF TECH
Filing Date
2023-12-18
Publication Date
2026-06-30

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing organ-on-a-chip micropumps are large in size and weight, which is not suitable for the integration and lightweight requirements of aerospace medical research.

Method used

A gallium-based liquid metal electrically driven micropump structure for organ-on-a-chip is designed, comprising a PDMS micropillar array, gallium-based liquid metal droplets, and graphite electrodes. Fluid flow is controlled by an electric field, utilizing the continuous electrowetting effect of gallium-based liquid metal, combined with the PAA/GO micropillar adsorption region to remove metal ions, thereby achieving adjustable fluid flow rate and miniaturization.

Benefits of technology

This invention achieves a micropump that is small in size, light in weight, and has an adjustable flow rate, enabling its application in aerospace medical research. It reduces bubble interference and the impact of metal ions on cell experiments, making it suitable for the integration and lightweight requirements of organ-on-a-chip.

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Abstract

A gallium-based liquid metal electro-driven micropump structure for organ-on-a-chip applications relates to the field of microfluidics. This invention addresses the problem of large size and weight of existing organ-on-a-chip micropumps. The gallium-based liquid metal electro-driven micropump structure of this invention comprises multiple PDMS micropillars arranged in a row in each of the three PDMS micropillar groups. The cross-sectional areas of the PDMS micropillars in the three groups are different, and the three groups are evenly distributed in three rows within the bubble trapping region. A gallium-based liquid metal droplet is located in the liquid pumping region. Two graphite electrodes are located in the inlet channel and the first channel, respectively, and are used for electrical connection to the AC power supply. This invention allows for changing the pumping direction by altering the electric field direction, selectively driving the target fluid using the continuous electrowetting effect of gallium-based liquid metal, and features a simple structure.
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