A critical review on micro-scale pumping based on insect-inspired membrane kinematics

Tripathi, Dharmendra; Bhandari, D S; Anwar Bég, O

Abstract

The membrane-based pumping mechanism is being increasingly deployed to meet the needs of medical, bio-engineering, microfabrication technology, microscale transport phenomena and other engineering applications due to its integrated functionalities. This review paper summarises the 3 rd pumping paradigm of discrete scheme peristaltic micro pump (PMP) and its applications based on the rhythmic membrane contraction. The membrane kinematics is an elegant natural pumping phenomenon which is found in the insect's respiratory system. Using this physical transport mechanism, the design of an advanced micro-flow system is possible. An overview of the pumping process, evaluation of membrane pumping, and future scope in modelling and design opportunities relevant to the microscale transport phenomena have been discussed. This pumping mechanism has been classified in terms of actuation into single-phase membrane, two-phase membrane and aperiodic membrane systems. A comparative assessment of mathematical modelling results for time average flow rate, flow field and pressure distribution are presented based on the findings of existing models in the literature to summarise the key control parameters and relative efficiency of different systems. The shape of the membrane profile is an important parameter for the optimised design of biomimetic micropumps. This review provides a comprehensive insight into state-of-the-art modelling exploiting the insect physiological membrane pumping mechanism, which is the key first stage in the effective fabrication of microfluidic devices for a wide range of applications.

Citation

Tripathi, D., Bhandari, D. S., & Anwar Bég, O. (2023). A critical review on micro-scale pumping based on insect-inspired membrane kinematics. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 360, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2023.114518

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 27, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 7, 2023
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 8, 2025
• Journal: Sensors and Actuators A: Physical
• Print ISSN: 0924-4247
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 360
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2023.114518
• Keywords: Natural pumping mechanism; membrane kinematics; micro-scale pumps; electrokinetic 2