# US 2018/0021775 A1 · Ferro-magnetic shape memory alloy microcavity fluid sensor

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- Number: US 2018/0021775 A1
- Document ID: US20180021775A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/215,039
- Filed: 2016-07-20
- Published: 2018-01-25
- Earliest claimed: 2016-07-20
- Assignees: Boise State University
- Applicants: Boise State University
- Inventors: PAUL G. LINDQUIST
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021775A1

## CPC

- B01L 3/502715: {characterised by interfacing components, e.g. fluidic, electrical, optical or mechanical interfaces}
- B01L 3/50273: {characterised by the means or forces applied to move the fluids}
- G01N 21/25: Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
- B01L 3/502707: {characterised by the manufacture of the container or its components}
- B01L 2300/0645: Electrodes
- B01L 2300/0654: Lenses; Optical fibres
- B01L 2300/12: Specific details about materials
- B01L 2300/168: Specific optical properties, e.g. reflective coatings
- B01L 2400/043: magnetic forces
- B01L 2400/0493: Specific techniques used
- G01N 27/416: Systems (G01N27/27 takes precedence)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A micropump includes a body with an inlet and an outlet defined therein. A channel connects the inlet to the outlet. The micropump further includes a magnetic shape memory (MSM) alloy positioned within the channel. The MSM alloy selectively forms a barrier between the inlet and the outlet. The micropump also includes an electrode and/or a transparent window positioned along a surface of the channel. A cavity is selectively formed within a surface of the MSM alloy due to a magnetic field. The cavity is selectively moveable between a first position adjacent to the inlet, a second position adjacent to the electrode and/or the transparent window, and a third position adjacent to the outlet, by altering the magnetic field. By altering a magnetic field applied to the MSM alloy, a fluid may be pumped from the inlet to the electrode and/or the transparent window where the fluid may be analyzed. The fluid may be subsequently pumped to the outlet.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A micropump comprising:
a body;
an inlet defined within the body;
an outlet defined within the body;
a channel connecting the inlet to the outlet;
a magnetic shape memory alloy positioned within the channel forming a barrier between the inlet and the outlet;
at least one electrode positioned along a surface of the channel; and
a cavity formed within a surface of the magnetic shape memory alloy due to a magnetic field, the cavity selectively moveable between a first position adjacent to the inlet, a second position adjacent to the electrode, and a third position adjacent to the outlet, by altering the magnetic field.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The micropump of claim 1, further comprising at least a second electrode, wherein the at least one electrode, the second electrode, and the magnetic shape memory alloy contact a fluid within the cavity when the cavity is in the second position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The micropump of claim 2, further comprising a voltage source to enable application of a voltage potential to the fluid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The micropump of claim 3, further comprising a third electrode in contact with the fluid within the cavity when the cavity is in the second position, the voltage source coupled in series between the at least one electrode and the second electrode, and the third electrode to enable measurement of a common voltage during application of the voltage potential.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The micropump of claim 3, wherein the at least one electrode, the second electrode, and the magnetic shape memory alloy make up a group of three electrodes, wherein the voltage source is coupled in series between at least two of the group of three electrodes, and wherein the remaining electrode of the group of three electrodes is configured to enable measurement of a common voltage during application of the voltage potential.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The micropump of claim 1, further comprising:
a second electrode positioned along the surface of the channel, wherein the cavity is further selectively moveable to a fourth position adjacent the second electrode.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The micropump of claim 1, further comprising:
additional electrodes positioned along the surface of the channel, wherein the cavity is further selectively moveable to the additional positions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The micropump of claim 1, further comprising:
a transparent window defined within the body and positioned adjacent the channel, wherein the cavity is selectively moveable to a fourth position adjacent the transparent window; and
an optical detector directed toward the transparent window.

### Claim 9

A micropump comprising:
a body;
an inlet defined within the body;
an outlet defined within the body;
a channel connecting the inlet to the outlet;
a magnetic shape memory alloy positioned within the channel forming a barrier between the inlet and the outlet;
a transparent window defined within the body and positioned adjacent the channel; and
a cavity formed within a surface of the magnetic shape memory alloy due to a magnetic field, the cavity selectively moveable between a first position adjacent to the inlet, a second position adjacent the transparent window, and a third position adjacent to the outlet, by altering the magnetic field.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The micropump of claim 9, wherein the transparent window is transparent to light within a predefined bandwidth.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The micropump of claim 9, further comprising a light source directed toward the window.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The micropump of claim 11, wherein the light source is configured to generate light within a predefined bandwidth.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The micropump of claim 9, further comprising a detector directed toward the transparent window.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The micropump of claim 9, further comprising:
an activation device configured to activate at least one material identified via the transparent window, wherein the activation device includes at least one of a laser and an electrical pulse source.

### Claim 15

A method comprising:
actuating a micropump to move a cavity formed within a surface of a magnetic shape memory alloy from a first position adjacent to an inlet, to a second position;
performing an analysis on a fluid within the cavity located at the second position; and
actuating the micropump to move the cavity from the second position to a third position adjacent to an outlet.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the second position is adjacent to an electrode, a transparent window, or both.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein performing the analysis comprises applying a voltage potential between an electrode and a second electrode in contact with the fluid within the cavity.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein performing the analysis further comprises measuring a common voltage via a third electrode in contact with the fluid within the cavity.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The method of claim 17, wherein performing the analysis further comprises measuring a common voltage via the magnetic shape memory alloy.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein performing the analysis comprises identifying a concentration of a substance within the fluid based on spectrophotometry.