The photoresponsive micro-pump tape using gas generation technology

Recently, micro TAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems) that performs genetic testing on devices containing microfluidics has been actively studied. In micro TAS, a micro-mixer and a micro-reactor provided on a microfluidic device are driven by feeding reagents with micro-pumps. Various micro-pumps were developed and studied: e.g. displacement pumps, electro-osmotic pumps, chemically actuated micro-pumps. The diaphragm type, which is a general pump, has the problem that reagents stagnation flow on the microfluidic device due to pulsation. Focusing on gas generation technology based on photochemical reaction, we thought that gas generation by light irradiation could be used for micro-pumps. Here we reported the basic concept for the photochemical actuated micro-pump and characterized performance of the device. © 2020 The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.