Yeast-powered self-regulating microfluidic pump based on a four-parameter fermentation model

Yeast-powered self-regulating microfluidic pump based on a four-parameter fermentation model | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Yeast-powered self-regulating microfluidic pump based on a four-parameter fermentation model Joong Yull Park, Jeongmok Kim, Kideok Kim, Seongyeol Baeck This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8445003/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Baker’s yeast is a common microorganism that is well-known for its fermentation activities. The fermentation process naturally produces CO 2 , leading to a gradual increase in internal pressure within sealed environments. Meanwhile, passive pumps are rising in the microfluidics field for their simplicity, low energy requirements, and suitability for portable and disposable devices. Here, we harnessed yeast fermentation as a biological power source for a passive pump, enabling fluid flow in microfluidic systems. This approach introduces a cost-effective, self-sustaining solution and extends the concept of passive pumping into the realm of biological systems. The custom mechanical pump operates by converting the gas pressure generated by fermentation into continuous fluid movement. The dynamics of gas production within the pump were analyzed experimentally to characterize performance over time. A mathematical four-parameter pump model was developed to predict pressure buildup and guide system configuration based on desired flow rates and operating durations. This model was further extended to a simplified two-parameter form—using only yeast mass and sucrose concentration—making pump setup more intuitive. This biologically driven pump concept holds potential for expansion into self-sustaining microfluidic devices, especially for space orbital experiment modules, educational tools, or low-resource settings where external power sources are limited. Physical sciences/Engineering Physical sciences/Chemistry yeast-powered pump biological actuation fermentation-driven flow mathematical performance modeling Full Text Additional Declarations There is no conflict of interest Supplementary Files MovieS1.mp4 Movie S1 MovieS2.mp4 Movie S2 MovieS3.mp4 Movie S3 MovieS4.mp4 Movie S4 Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: revise 18 Feb, 2026 Review # 2 received at journal 02 Feb, 2026 Review # 1 received at journal 24 Jan, 2026 Reviewer # 2 agreed at journal 11 Jan, 2026 Reviewer # 1 agreed at journal 08 Jan, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 07 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 31 Dec, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 24 Dec, 2025 First submitted to journal 24 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8445003","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":571207799,"identity":"00a845cd-f3b6-4694-ba73-6857f8201370","order_by":0,"name":"Joong Yull 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