The photoresponsive micropump tape using gas generation technology

Recently, micro‐TAS (Micro Total Analysis Systems) that performs genetic testing on devices containing microfluidics has been actively studied. In micro‐TAS, a micromixer and a microreactor provided on a microfluidic device are driven by feeding reagents with micropumps. Various micropumps were developed and studied: for example, displacement pumps, electro‐osmotic pumps, chemically actuated micropumps. The diaphragm type, which is a general pump, has the problem that reagents stagnation flow on the microfluidic device due to pulsation. Focusing on gas generation technology based on photochemical reaction, we thought that gas generation by light irradiation could be used for micropumps. Here we reported the basic concept for the photochemical actuated micropump and characterized performance of the device.