Evaporation characteristics of micropores in biomimetic micropump

A modified biomimetic micropump based on the stomatal transpiration principle is presented. The micropump is designed to have a layer of SU-8 microporous membrane and a layer of hydrophilic microporous ceramics, which reflects the natural plant stomata and mesophyll cells. The evaporation characteristics of the different stomata are analysed qualitatively by an established model. There is a positive connection between the stomata evaporation flux and the micropump flow rate. Corresponding experiments on micropump flow rate are conducted. The presented micropump has favourable assembly and reuse properties. The results indicate that the water vapour distribution in the stomata has a trend of edge effect. It also shows that the fluid flow rate in the micropump changes regularly with the stomata size and spacing.