Design and Analysis of Piezoelectric Micro-Pump Using Traveling-Wave

Since the development of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology for the medical field, various micro-fluid transfer systems have been studied. This paper proposes a micro-piezoelectric pump that imitates a stomach's peristalsis by using two separate piezoelectric elements, in contrast to existing micro-pumps. This piezoelectric pump is operated by using the valve-less traveling wave of peristalsis movement. If the piezoelectric plates at the two separated plates are actuated at the input voltage, a traveling wave occurs between the two plates. Then, the fluid migrates by the pressure difference generated by the traveling wave. Finite element analysis was performed to understand the mechanics of the combined system with piezoelectric elements, elastic structures, and fluids. The effects of design variables such as the chamber height and number of ceramics on the flow rate of the fluid were examined.