With constraints on size, cost, reliability, and performance for liquid-based cooling systems, the design of modular micropumps suitable for an integrated thermal management system still remains a challenge. In this paper, the effectiveness of a low-cost valveless micropump-heat exchanger on a printed circuit board is investigated for electronic cooling. Signal conditioning and control electronics are integrated with the fluidic components on the substrate to form a compact modular unit. Piezoelectric actuation and conical diffusers are utilized to generate pulsating flow through a minichannel heat sink. With ethanol as the working fluid, the tested pump reached a maximum flowrate and a pressure head of 2.4 ml/min and 743 Pa at an input voltage of 6 VDC. Suitability of the system for active real-time temperature control has been demonstrated at two input heater power levels of 1.45 and 2.5W A maximum reduction of 57 per cent in the average heat sink surface temperature could be achieved at a maximum power consumption of 150 mW by the micropump. © IMechE 2009.