Integrated micro-pump and electro-spray

Abstract

Disclosed is a micro-pump having at least one channel on a substrate where the channel has an inlet and an outlet. The micro-pump includes a first and second electrode coupled to the substrate, wherein the electrodes deliver a current that produces an electric field across the substrate to create a flow from the inlet to the outlet of a fluid contained in the channel. The micro-pump also includes an ion-specific membrane housing for the electrode reservoir minimizes bubble generation, fluid leakage and pressure loss. Further, at least a portion of the channel contains a chemically formed porous matrix.

1 . A micro-pump comprising:
 a substrate having at least one channel, wherein the channel has an inlet and an outlet;   a first and second electrode coupled to the substrate, wherein the electrodes deliver a current that produces an electric field across the substrate to create a flow from the inlet to the outlet of a fluid contained in the channel; and   at least a portion of the channel contains a chemically formed porous matrix.   
   
   
       2 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is formed from a sol-gel chemical process. 
   
   
       3 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is formed by fusing nano-porous beads. 
   
   
       4 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is at least one of monolithic or formed from a silica precipitate. 
   
   
       5 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein matrix has a plurality of pores. 
   
   
       6 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the matrix has charged surfaces. 
   
   
       7 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the micro-pump is used in a total analytical system. 
   
   
       8 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the total analytical system is at least one of: a mass spectrometer, a biochip, a diagnostic equipment, an implantable drug delivery device, a circuit cooling device, a device used for micro-fuel cell applications, or a capillary electrophoresis chromatograph. 
   
   
       9 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electrode that is coupled to a conducting membrane that blocks ion responsible for electro-chemical reactions at the electrode. 
   
   
       10 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the membrane minimizes bubbles in the at least one channel. 
   
   
       11 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the micro-pump is coupled to an electro-spray forming a combination integrated with the substrate, wherein the electro-spray emits the fluid from the at least one channel. 
   
   
       12 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the combination is one of at least disposable or portable. 
   
   
       13 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the combination sustains a high pressure. 
   
   
       14 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the combination maintains precise low flow rates. 
   
   
       15 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is emitted from the at least one channel via a Taylor cone. 
   
   
       16 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the electro-spray may operate with less than 100 micro-liter samples. 
   
   
       17 . The micro-pump as defined in  claim 11 , wherein the fluid is an organic material. 
   
   
       18 . A method of creating a porous matrix in a channel in a substrate for use in an integrated micro-pump and electro-spray, the method comprising:
 inserting a chemical mixture into at least a portion of the channel;   inserting silica beads to control precipitated bead and pore size;   heating the mixture until a precipitate forms; and   cooling the channel and the precipitate.   
   
   
       19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the precipitate forms a monolithic matrix. 
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the mixture is formed from a sol-gel process. 
   
   
       21 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the matrix is silica precipitate. 
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the channel is cleaned before the mixture is inserted. 
   
   
       23 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the matrix forms micro-pores. 
   
   
       24 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the surface of the matrix has nano-pores. 
   
   
       25 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the matrix may be used in at least one of aqueous and organic solutions. 
   
   
       26 . A means of creating a porous matrix for use in an integrated micro-pump and electro-spray, the means including:
 means for forming a chemical mixture;   means for inserting the chemical mixture into at least a portion of a channel formed in a substrate;   means for heating the mixture until a precipitate forms; and   means cooling the channel and the precipitate.