We developed a self-operated paper pump that can maintain a nearly constant flow rate of an aqueous solution along a paper strip channel in paper-based analytical devices (PADs). The quasi-stationary flow rate was controlled by increasing the cross-sectional channel area (capillary force) using a fan-shaped absorption pad coupled with a paper strip channel. The flow rate is regulated by varying the fan angle of the circular absorbing pad. Furthermore, the flow rate can be increased by furnishing a hollow cavity at the center of a conventional paper strip channel. The rate was regulated by varying the length of the hollow paper channel in the flow rate range of 5.1-26.4 mm/min. As a preliminary work, a paper-pump-coupled PAD was fabricated, and its CV detection capability was evaluated for the redox reaction of Fe(CN)6+4/+3. The combination of a paper pump with a PAD resulted in an ideal CV curve with a higher limiting current and faster response time. These results are interpreted well by the Levich equation, which suggests that the paper pump is a very useful component in paper-based sensors.
