High Performance Microfluidic Wicks
- Detailed Technology Description
- Here we present a method for designing a microfluidic system based on a synthetic hydrogel. The new biomimetic wick allows the passive pumping of water at high pressure for applications such as heat pipes and extraction of water from sub-saturated areas.
- Others
-
- Patent application: PCT/US09/42832
- Tobias D. Wheeler, Abraham D. Stroock “The transpiration of waterat negative pressures in a synthetic tree” Nature 455, 208-212 (11 September2008) doi:10.1038/nature07226
- *Abstract
-
Finding inspiration in nature, Cornell researchers have developed novel biomimetic water wicking technology based on the xylem structure of trees. The new biomimetic wick allows the passive pumping of water at high pressure for applications such as heat pipes and extraction of water from sub-saturated areas. This advanced wicking technology is capable of moving water as much as 300 vertical feet and achieving a pressure drop as high as 290 psi.
This ‘synthetic tree’ technology promises to greatly improve wick-based devices including evaporative microfluidic pumps and heat pipes, the use of which could be greatly expanded by the much larger pressures made possible by this technology. Further potential exists for the technology to be employed for water management in fuel cells, soil remediation, and desalinization.
Potential Applications
- Heat pipes
- Evaporative microfluidic pumps
- Fuel cell water management
- Environmental operations such as soil remediation and desalinization
Advantages
- High pressure operation (static pressures >220 atm, pumping at -70 atm)
- Capable of water extraction from sub-saturated areas
Keywords: Energy, Energy Saving, Fuel Cells, Heat Engineering & Transfer, Nanotechnology, Microfluidics, Nanoapplications, Device Manufacturing, Engineering, Biomimetic
- *Licensing
- Carolyn Theodorecat42@cornell.edu607-254-4514
- Country/Region
- USA
