Geometric and Scaling Effects in the Speed of Catalytic Enzyme Micropumps

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c09555
• Publication Date: 2022-08-19T17:59:53Z
• Authors: Tianyue Gao; Jeffrey M. McNeill; Vincent A. Oliver; Langqiu Xiao; Thomas E. Mallouk
• Keywords: Microreactor

Self-powered, biocompatible pumps in the nanometer to micron length scale have potential enable technology several fields, including chemical analysis and medical diagnostics. Chemically powered, catalytic micropumps been developed but are not able function well environments due their intolerance of salt solutions use toxic fuels. In contrast, enzymatically powered offer good biocompatibility, selectivity, scalability, performance at scales below a few millimeters, which is important many possible applications, has tested. Here, urease-based enzyme millimeter micrometer dimensions were fabricated studied. The scaling pumping velocity was measured experimentally simulated by numerical modeling. Pumping speeds analyzed accurately eliminating Brownian noise from data using patches between 5 mm 350 μm size. microns per second could be achieved with urease fastest when channel height exceeded width pump patch. all cases, weak patch 100 or less. Experimental simulation results consistent density-driven mechanism sizes studied served as framework for silico study more complex two-dimensional (2D) three-dimensional (3D) geometries. Attempts create directional flow juxtaposing inward outward unsuccessful because symmetry convection rolls produced millimeter-size slow smaller pumps. However, simulations corrugated ratchet structure showed that size range.