Micropump Update
Finally on Friday all the pieces came in that we ordered to connect the peristaltic pump tubing to the 238umOD capillary tubing. This is our first order, after last weeks meeting we ordered a smaller OD capillary tubing (164um) with the same 100umID. I connected all the pieces and attached the micropump to make sure the system functioned properly without any leaks.
The introduction of the capillary tubing causes a great deal of resistance to the rate of flow through the system. A simple calibration of the pump with the 238umOD capillary tubing showed a flow rate of 45ul/min as compared to over 3500ul/min with the peristaltic pump tubing alone under the same conditions. Once the second tubing order comes in I will be able to re-calibrate for flow rate but as of now the system is working without any leaks.