3D Printed Fluidic Oscillator Circuits for Autonomous Flow Driving and Switching

We have successfully demonstrated fluidic oscillator circuits that can spontaneously generate periodic flow outputs. The Pearson-Anson oscillator circuits are built from osmotic pumps, fluidic resistors, capacitors, and diaphragm switches, which are pressure controlled and hysteretic. 3D fabrication schemes utilizing DLP based projection stereo-lithography are used to print and integrate (1) semi-permeable structures and osmotic pumps with high water flow rates, (2) pre-strained elastic diaphragms and pressure controlled switches with desired threshold and hysteresis, and (3) 3D fluidic resistors and capacitors. In addition to osmotic pump, syringe pump can also serve as the sole driving source in the fluidic circuit to generate oscillatory flow of either gas or liquid.