Electrokinetic pump
| DWPI Title: Electrokinetic pump for pumping acid solutions, includes microchannel having porous dielectric material comprising stationary phase, which comprises bed of nonporous particles whose surface has fixedly attached particles |
| Abstract: A method for altering the surface properties of a particle bed. In application, the method pertains particularly to an electrokinetic pump configuration where nanoparticles are bonded to the surface of the stationary phase to alter the surface properties of the stationary phase including the surface area and/or the zeta potential and thus improve the efficiency and operating range of these pumps. By functionalizing the nanoparticles to change the zeta potential the electrokinetic pump is rendered capable of operating with working fluids having pH values that can range from 2-10 generally and acidic working fluids in particular. For applications in which the pump is intended to handle highly acidic solutions latex nanoparticles that are quaternary amine functionalized can be used. |
| Use: For pumping acid solutions (claimed) in microfluidic devices, high-pressure liquid chromatography systems, or microanalysis systems. |
| Advantage: The inventive pump has improved efficiency and operating range because the nanoparticles are bonded to the stationary phase surface thus altering the surface properties of the stationary phase including the surface area and/or zeta potential. It avoids large power dissipation in the microfluidic systems; avoids excessively large current flow through the pump that can cause deleterious concentration polarization at the electrodes and the microporous medium; and avoids excessive Joule heating of the solution that can cause deterioration of the pump material, the working fluid or cause the pump to fail due to fluid vaporization. |
| Novelty: Electrokinetic pump includes a microchannel having fluid inlet(s), fluid outlet(s), and a porous dielectric material comprising a stationary phase disposed in the microchannel. The stationary phase comprises a bed of nonporous particles. The surface of the nonporous particles has particles fixedly attached to the surface. |
| Filed: 4/22/2004 |
| Application Number: US2004830773A |
| Tech ID: SD 8511.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
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