Pipeline-free EHD Pump Based on Corona Discharge by Needle-Rod Electrode

This study introduces a pipeline-free electrohydrodynamic (EHD) pump based on corona discharge and systematically examines its performance in dielectric fluid transport, flow rate modulation, directional control, and multiphase fluid separation. Experimental results demonstrate that under a high-voltage electric field, dielectric fluids can be reliably transported along both straight and curved copper rods. Furthermore, optimizing the electrode configuration─such as incorporating additional needle electrodes─significantly extends the transport distance. Dynamic electric field control enables precise flow direction switching, offering an approach to targeted fluid transport. In oil-water mixture experiments, the EHD pump successfully achieved selective oil-phase separation while retaining the water phase, highlighting its exceptional multiphase separation capability. Overall, this study establishes the feasibility of EHD pumps for pipeline-free fluid transport and complex fluid manipulation, offering valuable insights for applications in microfluidics, biomedical engineering, and electronic liquid cooling.