US Patent 7625475 - Microfluidic nanotube pump

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625475.html

This patent from Lockheed Martin teaches that single walled carbon nanotubes can enhance the electrofluidic flow control found in microfluidic devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. A microfluidic pump comprising:

a housing comprising a first open end and a second open end;

a single walled nanotube, including two or more electric contacts, positioned within said housing, wherein the single walled nanotube is not part of a membrane;

an ionic fluid or alcohol contained within said housing; and

a voltage source directly connected to said two or more electric contacts on said single walled nanotube;

wherein upon application of a voltage to said two or more electric contacts on said single walled nanotube, a current flows through said single walled nanotube, thereby inducing a uni-directional, non-osmotic flow of said ionic fluid or alcohol in and around said nanotube and causing said ionic fluid to enter said housing via said first open end and exit said housing via said second open end.