Design and simulation of the one-way flexible micropump using fully coupled magneto-fluid-solid interaction

In the present work, a novel electromagnetic actuation flexible-valve micropump using the fluctuating elastic wall is proposed, based on one-way lymph transfer mechanism. A time dependent magnetic field is used for actuating the magnetorheological elastomer (contractible) wall. Two flexible valves are located in two terminals of microchannel in order to filter bidirectional flow and generate one-way fluid flow. Water properties are used for simulation and the maximum Reynolds number is not exceeded from 30, Womersly number is lower than 1 in all cases. Knudsen number is much less than unity, therefore no-slip condition is valid at walls. A fully coupled magneto-fluid-solid interaction approach using time dependent study of two-dimensional incompressible fluid flow is performed. All solid parts follow Hook’s law and simulation is carried out using finite element approach by COMSOL Multiphysics software. A parametric study is conducted and the effect of key geometrical, structural and magnetical parameters have been examined on the net pumped volume. Present micropump is able to generate unidirectional flow and propel net volume of fluid left to right, and the net pumped volume of fluid is affected by design parameters. The proposed design can serve in a wide range of microfluidic applications for example, flow rate and total mass transfer are completely controllable. At the end of the study, an optimum geometrical design based on initial model is proposed. The final design is capable to transmit nearly two times of net volume compare to initial model and more than three times of the previous design.