BME personnel are no strangers to being published in various news outlets, something that Dr. Brian Cummins, former BME postdoctoral researcher, can attest to. He, along with all-star team Drs. Fran Ligler and Glenn Walker and undergraduates Rukesh Chinthapatla and Balaji Lenin, have had their cutting-edge microfluidic research published in the journal Technology and were featured in a recent NC State News article. The team has developed a paper pump that acts as a hydraulic battery that can power microfluidic devices (such as diagnostics or drug testing equipment) without electric input; instead, the pump relies on capillary action to move controlled volumes of liquid.
![Walker-paper-pumps](https://bme.sitesdev.unc.edu/files/2017/03/Walker-paper-pumps-300x169.jpg)
Today’s electric microfluidic devices and laboratory equipment tend to be cumbersome and expensive, making them difficult to work effectively outside of a dedicated laboratory environment. The paper pump, however, is ultra-portable and cost-effective, with each costing less than $0.10. In addition, they can be saved for secondary testing when lab-based confirmations of on-site diagnoses are needed. They believe that this innovative take on an ages-old technology will positively impact public health and research opportunities. The team have applied for a patent and are currently looking for industry partners to commercialize the product.