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I would like to make/obtain a micro water dripping pump, as a component of an item I am designing, to irrigate a plant with a water drop every few seconds in a closed loop.

With "micro" I mean few cm³ in size. I imagine this should not be bigger than a walnut.

I insist on a closed loop, meaning the system isn't connected to a water input like water tap or such.

What technology is available? I would prefer a system with no or little electrical input.

Would such pump come ready-made or would I have to make it myself from scratch?

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    $\begingroup$ You don't seem to understand what "closed loop" means. If the system isn't connected to a water source, then where does it's water come from. In any case, you are asking for a complete design. $\endgroup$
    – Olin Lathrop
    Dec 28, 2015 at 12:20
  • $\begingroup$ Aeroponics might be what you're looking for. Just google aeroponics. $\endgroup$
    – Diana Michelle Maria Sedlak
    Dec 28, 2015 at 17:06
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    $\begingroup$ I think this can be achieved without the use of a pump, and 0 electricity, by using a siphon action through a hose, or some other medium such as cotton wadding, paper, rope. I can think of a variety of ways to do this. A fun one might be to use a dehumdifyer, and use the siphon to drain the collection bucket, feeding the plants. Don't like that? how about using a bottle? $\endgroup$
    – j0h
    Dec 28, 2015 at 22:32
  • $\begingroup$ @OlinLathrop obviously any closed loop requires an initial input and given there will be water evaporation, adding water to the system will be necessary once in a while. $\endgroup$
    – neydroydrec
    Jan 10, 2016 at 7:35
  • $\begingroup$ @DianaMichelleMariaSedlak my business is in hydroponic and aeroponics. Aeroponics simply means spraying nutrient water onto roots that otherwise have no contact with water or soil. This system requires high pressure pumps to create a mist. That does not answer my questions here, since I am looking at low pressure mini dripping system. $\endgroup$
    – neydroydrec
    Jan 10, 2016 at 7:37

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Despite the terminology differences I believe this is what you are looking for.

http://www.treegator.com/

The ready-made pump is called gravity. The pressure of gravity pushes down on the closed bladder and exerts light pressure to the water that is higher than the pressure outside the pores. This small pressure differential pushes the water in the bladder through the pores at a slow rate to provide drip irrigation over an extended period.

This meets all of your requirements listed.

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  • $\begingroup$ haha, excellent, a bowel with a tiny hole filled with water? why not :) $\endgroup$
    – neydroydrec
    Jan 10, 2016 at 7:41
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I would initially assume that by "closed loop" you mean like in a Terrarium. The water travels via evaporation and condensation and the energy input is the light that heats the plant and the walls of the container.

If the environment is not closed off in this fashion you will have to produce water by condensing it from the air (like rain). Otherwise any container will eventually run out. This could be done with thermometric modules but would use a lot of power.

If you meant "closed loop" in terms of pumping from a reservoir for a limited period of time; there are lots of small pumps available. All of them require a small amount of electricity.

Here are some I found in a quick search:
Peristaltic Pump
Solar Pump
12v Submersible
12v Gear Pump
Diaphram Pump
6v Centrifugal Pump

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