Patent ID: 8740453

Claim:
A microcalorimeter system comprising: a first microfluidic channel coupling a calorimeter with a sample chamber; a second microfluidic channel coupling the calorimeter with a waste chamber; an inertial pump comprising a fluid actuator integrated asymmetrically within the first microfluidic channel, wherein the fluid actuator is positioned asymmetrically within the first microfluidic channel, and is to be operated asymmetrically with compressive and tensile fluid displacements to pump fluid from the sample chamber to the calorimeter and from the calorimeter to the waste chamber through the first and second microfluidic channels, respectively, wherein a compressive fluid displacement of the fluid actuator comprises deflection of a membrane of the fluid actuator in a first direction relative to the first microfluidic channel, and a tensile fluid displacement of the fluid actuator comprises deflection of the membrane of the fluid actuator in a second direction opposite the first direction.