Artificial mini-heart: An internal micropump based on magnetically actuated artificial cilia that can induce flows in a microfluidic channel network

Here we report the fabrication of an internal micropump based on magnetically actuated artificial cilia (MAAC) that functions like an artificial mini-heart. The micropump can provide versatile flows in a microfluidic channel network, when the MAAC are actuated to perform a tilted conical movement. Compared to other pumping methods, this in-situ micro-pump does not need tubing or electrical connections, which reduces the usage of reagents by minimizing “dead volumes”, allows the construction of a more compact system, avoids undesirable electrical effects and accommodates a wide range of fluids.