The idea behind this experiment is that, by using an adapted version of the tesla valve we can create a liquid pump with no sealing surfaces. The oscillation of the pump will produce a net flow due to its geometry. 

Currently the pump is powered by a vibration motor, located between two instances of the tesla pump geometry. With each stroke of the motor, the pump is pushed back and forth in the liquid. Normally these forces would cancel out, but due to the geometry of the pump there will be a net force resulting from the preferential flow of the liquid in one direction over the other. 

Figure 1: Tesla valve pump with the vibration motor in the forward position

Figure 2: Tesla valve pump with the vibration motor in the aft position.

With the motion of the vibration motor, an equal force will be pushing on the fluid surrounding the pump. The liquid, however, will provide unequal resistance, depending on the direction of the stroke. This is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, showing how on the forward stroke, fluid runs smoothly over the geometry of the pump, while on the aft stroke, it is caught on the fin portion and redirected.

Figure 3: Forward stroke of the Tesla Valve Pump

Figure 4: Aft stroke of the Tesla Valve Pump

Note how redirection of the flow over the surface of the Tesla Valve Pump fins negates some of the backwards momentum, resulting in a net force. 

Figure 5: Video of the Tesla Valve Pump demonstration

In order to maximize the resulting force, we are looking into alternative geometries. This includes ones with internal fins, as shown in Figure 6, and asymmetrical fins, which would help increase the amount of liquid caught and redirected by the fins on the aft stroke.

Figure 6: Cross section of Tesla Valve Pump with internal fins