Design and numerical study of a bidirectional acoustic microfluidic pump enabled by microcantilever arrays

Abstract

Microfluidics offers a versatile and promising platform for various applications in biomedical and other fields, boasting cost‐effectiveness, rapid analysis time, and a compact equipment footprint. However, achieving controlled and versatile microfluidic motion within implantable devices presents a significant challenge. In this study, we propose a novel bidirectional micro‐pump design that leverages two sharp‐edge microcantilever arrays, driven by ultrasound, to enable selective flow direction by manipulating the ultrasound frequency. Through systematic numerical simulation, we demonstrate the feasibility of this design and further optimize its performance through comprehensive parametric analysis. This work provides valuable guidance for the practical development of sharp‐edge‐based acoustic micro‐pumps, particularly for potential implantable applications such as controlled drug release and in vivo sampling for advanced diagnostics.