Electrochemically actuated mercury pump for fluid flow and delivery

This paper describes the development of a prototype pumping system with the potential for incorporation into miniaturized, fluid-based analytical inst ruments. The approach exploits the well-established electrocapillarity phen omena at a mercury/electrolyte interface as the mechanism for pump actuatio n. That is, electrochemically induced changes in the surface tension of mer cury result in the pistonlike movement of a mercury column confined within a capillary. We present herein theoretical and experimental assessments of pump performance. The: design and construction of the pump are detailed, an d the potential attributes of this design, including the generated pumping pressure, now rate, and power consumption, are discussed. The possible mini aturization of the pump for use as a field-deployable, fluid-delivery devic e is also briefly examined.