Miniaturized flowthrough microdispenser with piezoceramic tripod actuation

Summary, in English

In this paper, the further development of a silicon flowthrough microdispenser is described. Previously reported designs of the dispenser used bimorph, and later multilayered, piezoelectric actuator elements for the generation of droplets. The introduction of a multilayered actuator significantly reduced the voltage amplitude needed to dispense droplets. Dispenser properties relevant for chemical analysis systems, e.g., reduced sample volume, internal surface area, and dispersion, were improved by miniaturization of the device. In this paper, a new actuator design, the tripod, is presented to enable further dispenser miniaturization and to facilitate device assembly. Tripod actuators were manufactured using a prototyping process, based on micromilling, for multilayer piezoceramic components. A building technique for miniaturized electrical interconnects, based on microstructured flexible printed circuits, is also suggested in line with the prospect of future miniaturization. The microfluidic properties of the tripod- actuated dispenser were evaluated. Stable droplet generation in the frequency range from 0 to 3 kHz was demonstrated, providing a maximum dispensed flow rate of 7.8 muL/min.

• Author: Jonas Bergkvist; T Lilliehorn; Johan Nilsson; S Johansson; Thomas Laurell
• Department/s: Department of Biomedical Engineering
• Publishing year: 2005
• Language: English
• Pages: 134-140
• Publication/Series: Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/JMEMS.2004.839000
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: IEEE - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
• Topic: Medical Engineering
• Keywords: lead zirconate; piezoactuator; miniaturization; dispenser; droplet; titanate (PZT)
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1057-7157