Accurate manipulation of fluids in microfluidic devices is an important factor affecting their functions. Since the emergence of microfluidic technology to transport fluids in microchannels, the electric field has been utilized as an effective dynamic pumping mechanism. This review attempts to provide a fundamental insight of the various electric-driven flows in microchannels and their working mechanisms as micropumps for microfluidic devices. Different electrokinetic mechanisms implemented in electrohydrodynamic-, electroosmosis-, electrothermal, and dielectrophoresis-based micropumps are discussed. A detailed description of different mechanisms is presented to provide a comprehensive overview on the key parameters used in electric micropumps. Furthermore, electrode configurations and their shapes in different micropumps are explored and categorized to provide conclusive information for the selection of efficient, simple, and affordable strategies to transport fluids in microfluidic devices. In this paper, recent theoretical, numerical and experimental investigations are covered to provide a better insight both on the operational mechanisms and strategies for lab-on-chip applications.
Keywords: dielectrophoresis; electrohydrodynamics; electroosmosis; microfluidic devices; micropumps.
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