Point-of-care diagnostic devices, micrototal analysis (μTAS) systems, lab-on-a-chip development, and biomedical research rely heavily upon microfluidic management and innovative micropump design. Here, we describe the design and prototype deployment of a magnetic shape memory (MSM) micropump capable of submicroliter per minute flow rates. The pump contains no valves or moving parts in the fluid channel and is capable of bidirectional fluid transport. This pump was employed as the mechanism to deliver small intracranial dosages of ketamine and tetrodotoxin (TTX) at 0.33 μl/min during in vivo electrophysiological recordings in anesthetized rats, performing to required specifications.

The maximum actuation frequency of magnetic shape-memory alloys (MSMAs) significantly increases with decreasing size of the transducer making MSMAs interesting candidates for small scale actuator applications. To study the mechanical properties of Ni–Mn–Ga single crystals on small length scales, two single-domain micropillars with dimensions of $10\times 15\times 30\mu {\text{m}}^3$ were fabricated from a Ni–Mn–Ga monocrystal using dual beam focused ion beam machining. The pillars were oriented such that the crystallographic $c$ direction was perpendicular to the loading direction. The pillars were compressed to maximum stresses of 350 and 50 MPa, respectively. Atomic force microscopy and magnetic force microscopy were performed prior to fabrication of the pillars and following the deformation experiments. Both micropillars were deformed by twinning as evidenced by the stress-strain curve. For one pillar, a permanent deformation of 3.6% was observed and $ac$ twins (10M martensite) were identified after unloading. For the other pillar, only 0.7% remained upon unloading. No twins were found in this pillar after unloading. The recovery of deformation is discussed in the light of pseudoelastic twinning and twin-substrate interaction. The twinning stress was higher than in similar macroscopic material. However, further studies are needed to substantiate a size effect.