Scientists at Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT’s) Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) have 3D printed a miniature magnetically operated, valveless pump, all in one piece (or monolithically) but with different components and materials.

The mini pumps, which measure just 1 cm in volume, were 3D printed in 75 minutes and are capable of moving liquid and gas without expending as much energy as required with pumps of similar design.

The pumps feature small cylinders, a membrane, a fluid chamber, two valveless ports, tubes and neodymium magnet (NdFeB) microparticles that serve as the pump’s magnetic core.

Source: Luis Fernando Velásquez-García

The pumps are powered by an external rotating magnet that interacts with the magnetic core to drive the piston and deform the membrane, which propels the liquid from port to port.

After undergoing 14 million test cycles, the pumps did not leak and the scientists believe that they are appropriate for fuel cell, power generation and heat exchanger applications.

The research appears in the Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics.