Project Description

Precision fluid handling at microliter scale is critical for chemical dosing and life-detection experiments in rover-based soil analysis. Commercial laboratory peristaltic pumps are often expensive and bulky, making them unsuitable for integration into a mass- and volume-constrained rover science module. In addition, peristaltic pump was chosen rather than other types of pump because its mechanism allows good control in liquid dosing while being relatively easy to fabricate.

The goal of this project is to design a compact, low-cost peristaltic pump capable of reliable microliter-level dosing, suitable for integration into a constrained rover science module.

Peristaltic Pump Working Principles 

Mechanical Design Process 

Tubing Selection 

Another key factor in peristaltic pump performance is its tubing. In this design, 1-mm inner diameter silicon tubing was selected to maximize the dosing accuracy by reducing volumetric displacement per unit length while maintaining sufficient elasticity for reliable pumping. 

Engineering Calculation 

he theoretical volumetric displacement per revolution is given by  

V = (1/4) * pi * d_tube^2 · 2 * pi * R

This relationship is used to map motor step count directly to dispense volume, enabling open-loop microliter-scale control. 

Video Demonstration

Moving Forward

The next phase is integration into the Yonder Dynamics Science Module. This will be pursued once overall rover mass is reduced through weight optimization of other subsystems, ensuring that the added payload remains within the University Rover Challenge mass limits.