Shape Optimization of Microfluidic Pump Using Fluid-Structure Interaction Approach

Abstract

Microfluidic pumps are becoming popular in the lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices for pumping the fluid of very small quantity. In this study, a focus is given on simulating the diffuser/nozzle type of micropump using fluid structure interaction. A detailed shape optimization design of geometric parameters of the nozzle/diffuser micropump was undertaken by using Fluid-structure interaction in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.0. A parametric study was carried out for improving the performance of the pump. Further, a geometry optimization was done to get the desired performance of the pump. The parameters considered in the geometry optimization are the thickness of the diaphragm, nozzle parameters. The effect of the divergence angle, diffuser length, neck width, height of chamber, a diameter of chamber and thickness of diaphragm on flow rate was studied. Using 0.020 N actuating force, the micropump delivers a maximum flow rate of 145 µl/min for 20 Hz excitation frequency at zero back pressure. The predictions of the numerical simulations concerning flow rate versus diffuser length, neck width, a height of chamber and diameter of the chamber, etc. can be useful in the design of micropump.