According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of
thermopneumatic capillary micropumps and manufacturing methods thereof.
In one exemplary embodiment, a thermopneumatic capillary micropump
generally includes a lower substrate having a pump-entrance for injecting
fluids and a pump-exit for exhausting the fluids. The micropump also
includes one or more micro-heaters for generating heat and electrodes for
applying voltage to the micro-heaters. One or more air chambers
substantially cover the micro-heaters. A pump chamber unit, which is
capable of being filled up with the fluids, is coupled to the air
chambers, the pump-entrance, and the pump-exit. An airing channel is
coupled to the air chambers for helping maintain the pressure of the air
in the air chambers at about the same level. An oxide layer is deposited
on an upper substrate of the micropump. The upper and lower substrates
are thermopneumatically coupled to each other.