SPICE modelling and design optimization of micropumps
This article describes a study concerning micropump design for medical purposes. In particular the project is focused on treatment of Hydrocephalus. An actuator glued on a membrane, a pumping chamber and a certain number of valves constitute the micropumps. The actuator is a piezoelectric disc, controlled according to data collected by means of a pressure sensor. We have studied two different structures of micropump: the first with membrane valves, and the second with diffuser/nozzle valves, without moving parts. Modelling both micropumps with electrical equivalent networks, we are able to estimate the pump behaviour, in terms of flow rate, with a simulator such as SPICE, and to optimize the micropump design for best performances.
A miniature pump was designed in this study, based on a catalytic combustion-driven thermal transpiration. The designed pump was further used to build a miniature power generator that has self-pumping and power generation integrated into one device, has no moving parts and operates only on thermal and electrochemical energy supplied by hydrocarbon fuels. A solid oxide fuel cell tested with this power generator obtained a power density of 40 mW.cm−2 .Copyright © 2011 by ASME