Abstract: For the shortcomings in the existing micro-fluidics drive and control technology such as miniaturization, small driving force, etc. A new method to drive and control the micro fluidics through liquid crystalline backflow effect is proposed. As the first step, the theoretical simulation and experimental study on the driving effect of the cell and the influence factors is done using Leslie-Ericksen theory. With the imposition of continuous square wave electric field, the upper plate of the liquid crystalline cell can be driven to move with oscillation. When the electric field frequency is 1 Hz with 5% ratio, the maximum velocity can be achieved. The applied voltage of the electric field has no much influence on the driven effect. The most important factor is the rotate range of the director. A driving speed of more than 90 μm/s is achieved successfully. Direct observation method using microscope is used in the experimental study, the calculation results are in good agreement with the experimental results qualitatively. Quantitative error is mainly caused by the initial alignment error of the liquid crystalline cell and can be improve by changing the alignment membrane or friction conditions.

Key words: Backflow effect, Leslie-Ericksen theory, Micro-fluidic driving