Asymmetric thermocapillarity-based pump: Concept and exactly solved model

A novel low-Reynolds-number fluid pump architecture is proposed wherein the offset interdigitated teeth of a hot comb and a cold comb in contact with a liquid cause its unidirectional motion due to thermocapillary stresses active along the unequal menisci between the teeth. The pump involves no moving parts, requires no external driving pressure, and pumps a continuous stream of liquid rather than a series of discrete droplets.