The operation of a thermally driven actuator and capacitive flowmeter was examined. The driver was emulated with a thermometer. The eventual goal of the project is to design a thermally actuated driver to move organic fluids through micro channels. Measurements of such small channels is a challenge. It was proposed to measure the flow rate by means of noting the change in capacitance of the modified thermometer.
Initial tests verify that a thermometer as a driver is feasible.
Further testing is required to measure flow rate accurately.