Magnetomechanics of Magnetic Shape Memory Micropumps
Additional Funding Sources
The project described was supported by the Research Experience for Undergraduates Program Site: Materials for Society at Boise State University under Award No. 1658076.
Presentation Date
7-2018
Abstract
Current commercial microfluidic pumps consist of complicated mechanical parts such as microvalves, pistons, and gears. We have designed a simpler microfluidic pump that utilizes the magnetomechanics of Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) Ni-Mn-Ga elements to eliminate moving parts from the pump design. In our design, rotation of a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet creates and moves ripples through the element that transport fluids. Before constructing the pumps, we characterized the MSM elements with X-ray diffraction to study their structure, with a vibrating sample magnetometer to determine the switching field and magnetization, with a compression test to generate a stress-strain curve, and with optical and topological analysis to measure displacement caused by the rotating magnet and the surface roughness. The surfaces of the elements were then micropeened to prolong their service life. We then characterized the elements again and found through optical analysis and the switching field tests that micropeening reduced and smoothened movement in the elements. While further work is needed to identify the optimum between the benefits of micropeening and its reduction of element deformation, MSM micropumps are a promising alternative to mechanical micropumps in providing the microfluidics necessary for experimentation in fields such as biomolecular sciences, life sciences, and chemistry.
Magnetomechanics of Magnetic Shape Memory Micropumps
Current commercial microfluidic pumps consist of complicated mechanical parts such as microvalves, pistons, and gears. We have designed a simpler microfluidic pump that utilizes the magnetomechanics of Magnetic Shape Memory (MSM) Ni-Mn-Ga elements to eliminate moving parts from the pump design. In our design, rotation of a diametrically magnetized cylindrical magnet creates and moves ripples through the element that transport fluids. Before constructing the pumps, we characterized the MSM elements with X-ray diffraction to study their structure, with a vibrating sample magnetometer to determine the switching field and magnetization, with a compression test to generate a stress-strain curve, and with optical and topological analysis to measure displacement caused by the rotating magnet and the surface roughness. The surfaces of the elements were then micropeened to prolong their service life. We then characterized the elements again and found through optical analysis and the switching field tests that micropeening reduced and smoothened movement in the elements. While further work is needed to identify the optimum between the benefits of micropeening and its reduction of element deformation, MSM micropumps are a promising alternative to mechanical micropumps in providing the microfluidics necessary for experimentation in fields such as biomolecular sciences, life sciences, and chemistry.
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