Development of an on-chip valveless micropump

The development of micropumps is essential for small scale remote devices, e.g. for ingestible with active fluidic capabilities. Miniaturizing conventional macroscale pumps based on mechanical moving/deformable parts leads to low performance and inefficient micropumps. Therefore, there is a need for the development of pumps based on novel principles. Here, we intend to explore electrowetting as pumping mechanism. The student will start the project with theoretical study/simulations and will be further instrumental in exploring experimentally the capabilities of such a pump. This will be in close collaboration with a researcher throughout the project.  An understanding on the basic principles of electrowetting will be developed during the project as well as techniques, such as, simulation, imagining and other experimental techniques.