3 Fluidic Control Methods - Disc Pump Demos

The Lee Company’s Piezoelectric Disc Pump Evaluation Kit offers a versatile platform for fluid handling applications by combining compact size, precise pneumatic control, and rapid response. Using only a few off‑the‑shelf components, it can be configured for three key fluid control regimes.

Flow Control: In applications where accurate liquid flow rates are essential—such as reaction kinetics, droplet generation, or organ‑on‑a‑chip systems—the kit can connect to a Sensirion liquid flow sensor for closed‑loop control from µL/min to mL/min. It supports steady or oscillatory flows, useful for mimicking physiological conditions like pulsatile blood flow or breathing cycles.

Aspirate/Dispense: By pairing the pump with a sealed volume and pressure sensor, the kit creates a compact, low‑cost air displacement pipette system. Drive power adjustments enable fine control over aspiration and dispense speeds, making it well‑suited for dosing and pipetting tasks.

Move to Point: The pump’s fast response allows precise control of a fluid slug’s position in microfluidic systems. Using a vision system and a reversible airflow circuit, fluid can be pushed or pulled between points with a controlled “slow approach” to prevent overshoot.

In each case, configurations rely on the Piezoelectric Disc Pump Evaluation Kit combined with minimal additional components. These demonstrations showcase the pump’s flexibility in delivering controlled, repeatable fluid movement across varied applications. For integration guidance or to explore the technology firsthand, The Lee Company offers additional resources and information on the Evaluation Kit.