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Simulation and optimization of a piezoelectric micropump for medical applications

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Abstract

We designed a valveless micropump excited by a piezoelectric actuator for medical applications. The complete electric–fluid–solid coupling model is built upon using ANSYS software (Canonsburg, PA) to investigate the behaviors of the micropump. The effects of the geometrical dimensions on the micropump characteristics and its efficiency are analyzed. The simulation results show that there is an optimal thickness of the piezoelectric layer to obtain a large pump flow, and that this optimal thickness is affected by the material and the thickness of the pump membrane. To enhance the performance of the micropump, some important diffuser parameters, such as the diffuser length, the diffuser angle, and the neck width, should be optimized. However, the variations of the diffuser’s geometrical dimensions do not affect the optimal thickness of the piezoelectric layer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Shanghai JiaoTong University, Dongchuan Road 800, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Qifeng Cui, Chengliang Liu & Xuan F. Zha

  2. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Xuan F. Zha

Authors
  1. Qifeng Cui
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  2. Chengliang Liu
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  3. Xuan F. Zha
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Correspondence to Qifeng Cui.

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Cui, Q., Liu, C. & Zha, X.F. Simulation and optimization of a piezoelectric micropump for medical applications. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 36, 516–524 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-006-0867-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-006-0867-x

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