A polymeric micro actuator to be integrated into an organic material based lab on chip microsystem

The manufacturing of a microvalve actuated by the electroactive polymer polypyrrole has been investigated. The actuator uses the electrochemically induced out-of-plane strain of the polypyrrole/NaDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) system. The manufacturing process of the all polymer (microfluidic channels and actuator) device has been optimized. Deposition of PPY on gold electrodes was achieved even if there is no chemical link between gold and the polymer. Delamination at the gold/PPY interface was observed after the first cycle of actuation. The use of a different electrode material to enable a chemical link between the electrode and the polymer is proposed. This type of micro actuator can easily be integrated in an all organic microsystem. It can also be assembled in series to form an integrated micropump for a disposable device.