Systems and methods for microfluidic thermal management

A method of thermal management, the method comprising:

• measuring a thermal management demand of a heat-generating component in thermal communication with a microfluidic volume;
• determining, based at least partially on the thermal management demand, a target flow rate of working fluid through the microfluidic volume;
• applying an electric voltage or current to a pump piezoelectric element in mechanical communication with a pumping membrane;
• moving at least a portion of the pumping membrane;
• altering a volume of the microfluidic volume based at least partially on the target flow rate;
• and
• flowing working fluid into the microfluidic volume through an inlet positioned at a peripheral side of the microfluidic volume.

A thermal management device including

• a microfluidic volume having a first peripheral side and a second peripheral side and including at least one thermal element;
• a pumping membrane located adjacent to the microfluidic volume between the first peripheral side and the second peripheral side and the at least one thermal element;
• an inlet valve to the microfluidic volume located at the first peripheral side;
• an outlet valve from the microfluidic volume located at the second peripheral side;
• and
• a pumping piezoelectric element in mechanical communication with the pumping membrane to move at least a portion of the pumping membrane and alter a volume of the microfluidic volume.