A Microfluidic Mixer Fabricated From Compliant Thermoplastic Films

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Paya ◽  
T. Dankovic ◽  
A. Feinerman
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Lab On A Chip ◽  
Microfluidic Devices ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Minimal Amount ◽  
Microfluidic Mixer ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Rapid Mixing ◽  
Microfluidic Flows

Mixing is often crucial to the operation of various microfluidic devices. And the most common objective is rapid mixing between two initially segregated fluid streams in a minimal amount of space. In microfluidic flows characterized by incompressibility and low Reynolds number, however, turbulence is almost entirely absent and mixing generally relies on diffusion. Therefore, based on the properties of the fluids involved, it can take impractically long to achieve high mixing efficiency in some cases. To resolve this problem, this paper demonstrates a novel compliant micromixer made of thermoplastic films for lab-on-a-chip applications. The microfluidic mixer utilizes self-rotation effects to achieve high mixing efficiency at Reynolds numbers below 100. In addition, a possible design is suggested for a thermoplastic voltage-actuated micromixer which can lead to even better mixing performance at Reynolds numbers below 1.

An Enhanced One-Layer Passive Microfluidic Mixer With an Optimized Lateral Structure With the Dean Effect

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teng Zhou ◽  
Yifan Xu ◽  
Zhenyu Liu ◽  
Sang Woo Joo
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Topology Optimization ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Boolean Operation ◽  
Microfluidic Mixer ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The One ◽  
Lateral Structure ◽  
Topology Optimization Method

Topology optimization method is applied to a contraction–expansion structure, based on which a simplified lateral flow structure is generated using the Boolean operation. A new one-layer mixer is then designed by sequentially connecting this lateral structure and bent channels. The mixing efficiency is further optimized via iterations on key geometric parameters associated with the one-layer mixer designed. Numerical results indicate that the optimized mixer has better mixing efficiency than the conventional contraction–expansion mixer for a wide range of the Reynolds number.

scholarly journals Numerical Analysis of the Heterogeneity Effect on Electroosmotic Micromixers Based on the Standard Deviation of Concentration and Mixing Entropy Index

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1055
Author(s):  
Alireza Farahinia ◽  
Jafar Jamaati ◽  
Hamid Niazmand ◽  
Wenjun Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Zeta Potential ◽  
Electroosmotic Flow ◽  
Molecular Diffusion ◽  
Slip Surface ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Slip Coefficient ◽  
Mixing Rate ◽  
Heterogeneous Distribution

One approach to achieve a homogeneous mixture in microfluidic systems in the quickest time and shortest possible length is to employ electroosmotic flow characteristics with heterogeneous surface properties. Mixing using electroosmotic flow inside microchannels with homogeneous walls is done primarily under the influence of molecular diffusion, which is not strong enough to mix the fluids thoroughly. However, surface chemistry technology can help create desired patterns on microchannel walls to generate significant rotational currents and improve mixing efficiency remarkably. This study analyzes the function of a heterogeneous zeta-potential patch located on a microchannel wall in creating mixing inside a microchannel affected by electroosmotic flow and determines the optimal length to achieve the desired mixing rate. The approximate Helmholtz–Smoluchowski model is suggested to reduce computational costs and simplify the solving process. The results show that the heterogeneity length and location of the zeta-potential patch affect the final mixing proficiency. It was also observed that the slip coefficient on the wall has a more significant effect than the Reynolds number change on improving the mixing efficiency of electroosmotic micromixers, benefiting the heterogeneous distribution of zeta-potential. In addition, using a channel with a heterogeneous zeta-potential patch covered by a slip surface did not lead to an adequate mixing in low Reynolds numbers. Therefore, a homogeneous channel without any heterogeneity would be a priority in such a range of Reynolds numbers. However, increasing the Reynolds number and the presence of a slip coefficient on the heterogeneous channel wall enhances the mixing efficiency relative to the homogeneous one. It should be noted, though, that increasing the slip coefficient will make the mixing efficiency decrease sharply in any situation, especially in high Reynolds numbers.

A Planar Labyrinth Micromixer

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy T. Cogswell ◽  
Peng Li ◽  
Mohammad Faghri
Keyword(s):  
Soft Lithography ◽  
Lab On A Chip ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Mixing Length ◽  
Two Fluids ◽  
Curved Channels ◽  
Passive Mixing ◽  
Important Challenge

Rapid mixing of two fluids in microchannels has posed an important challenge to the development of many integrated lab-on-a-chip systems. In this paper, we present a planar labyrinth micromixer (PLM) to achieve rapid and passive mixing by taking advantage of a synergistic combination of the Dean vortices in curved channels, a series of perturbation to the fluids from the sharp turns, and an expansion and contraction of the flow field via a circular chamber. The PLM is constructed in a single soft lithography step and the labyrinth has a footprint of 7.32 mm × 7.32 mm. Experiments using fluorescein isothiocyanate solutions and deionized water demonstrate that the design achieves fast and uniform mixing within 9.8 s to 32 ms for Reynolds numbers between 2.5 and 30. Compared to the mixing in the prevalent serpentine design, our design results in 38% and 79% improvements on the mixing efficiency at Re = 5 and Re = 30 respectively. An inverse relationship between mixing length and mass transfer Pe´clet number (Pe) is observed, which is superior to the logarithmic dependence of mixing length on Pe in chaotic mixers. Having a simple planar structure, the PLM can be easily integrated into lab-on-a-chip devices where passive mixing is needed.

A NOVEL 3D MICROMIXER WITH QUARTIC KOCH CURVE FRACTAL

2021 ◽  
pp. 2150049
Author(s):  
SIYUE XIONG ◽  
XUEYE CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Deflection Angle ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Flow State ◽  
Koch Curve ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Chaotic Convection ◽  
The Deflection Angle ◽  
High Application

In this paper, we mainly study the mixing performance of the micromixer with quartic Koch curve fractal (MQKCF) by numerical simulation. Changing the structure of the microchannel based on the fractal principle can significantly improve the fluid flow state in the microchannel and improve the mixing efficiency of the micromixer. This paper discussed the effects of different fractal deflection angles, microchannel heights and different fractal times on the mixing efficiency under four different Reynolds numbers (Re). It is found that changing the deflection angle of the fractal can bring extremely high benefits, which makes the fluid deflect and fold in the microchannel, enhancing the chaotic convection in the microchannel, and improve the mixing efficiency of the fluid. Under the reasonable arrangement of the quartic Koch curve fractal principle, it can give the micro-mixture more than 99% mixing efficiency. Based on the excellent mixing performance of MQKCF, it also has extremely high application value in the biochemical neighborhood.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of Liquid–Liquid Mixing in Modified T Mixer with 3D Obstacles

2021 ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Md. Readul Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Channel Length ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Wide Range

The fluids inside passive micromixers are laminar in nature and mixing depends primarily on diffusion. Hence mixing efficiency is generally low, and requires a long channel length and longtime compare to active mixers. Various designs of complex channel structures with/without obstacles and three-dimensional geometries have been investigated in the past to obtain an efficient mixing in passive mixers. This work presents a design of a modified T mixer. To enhance the mixing performance, circular and hexagonal obstacles are introduced inside the modified T mixer. Numerical investigation on mixing and flow characteristics in microchannels is carried out using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS 15. Mixing in the channels has been analyzed by using Navier–Stokes equations with water-water for a wide range of the Reynolds numbers from 1 to 500. The results show that the modified T mixer with circular obstacles has far better mixing performance than the modified T mixer without obstacles. The reason is that fluids' path length becomes longer due to the presence of obstacles which gives fluids more time to diffuse. For all cases, the modified T mixer with circular obstacle yields the best mixing efficiency (more than 60%) at all examined Reynolds numbers. It is also clear that efficiency increase with axial length. Efficiency can be simply improved by adding extra mixing units to provide adequate mixing. The value of the pressure drop is the lowest for the modified T mixer because there is no obstacle inside the channel. Modified T mixer and modified T mixer with circular obstacle have the lowest and highest mixing cost, respectively. Therefore, the current design of modified T with circular obstacles can act as an effective and simple passive mixing device for various micromixing applications.

scholarly journals High mixing performances of shear-thinning fluids in two-layer crossing channels micromixer at very low Reynolds numbers

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 5938-5960
Author(s):  
A. Kouadri ◽  
Y. Lasbet ◽  
M. Makhlouf
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Species Transport ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Power Law Fluids ◽  
Power Law Index

In a recent study, the Two-Layer Crossing Channels Micromixer (TLCCM) exhibited good mixing capacities in the case of the Newtonian fluids (close to 100%) for all considered Reynolds number values. However, since the majority of the used fluids in the industrial sectors are non-Newtonians, this work details the mixing evolution of power-law fluids in the considered geometry. In this paper, the power-law index ranges from 0.73 to 1 and the generalized Reynolds number is bounded between 0.1 and 50. The conservation equations of momentum, mass and species transport are numerically solved using a CFD code, considering the species transport model. The flow structure at the cross-sectional planes of our micromixer was studied using the dynamic systems theory. The evolutions of the intensity, also the axial, radial and tangential velocity profiles were examined for different values of the Reynolds number and the power-law index. Besides, the pressure drop of the power-law fluids under different Reynolds number was calculated and represented. Furthermore, the mixing efficiency is evaluated by the computation of the mixing index (MI), based on the standard deviation of the mass fraction in different cross-sections. In such geometry, a perfect mixing is achieved with MI closed to 99.47 %, at very small Reynolds number (from the value 0.1) whatever the power-law index and generalized Reynolds numbers taken in this investigation. Consequently, the targeted channel presents a useful tool for pertinent mass transfer improvements, it is highly recommended to include it in various microfluidic systems.

scholarly journals Effect of Thermal Energy and Ultrasonication on Mixing Efficiency in Passive Micromixers

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 891
Author(s):  
Fahizan Mahmud ◽  
Khairul Fikri Tamrin ◽  
Shahrol Mohamaddan ◽  
Nobuo Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Fluid Mixing ◽  
Structural Deformation ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Mixing Index ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Lower Reynolds Number ◽  
Better Than

Micromixing is a key process in microfluidics technology. However, rapid and efficient fluid mixing is difficult to achieve inside the microchannels due to unfavourable laminar flow. Active micromixers employing ultrasound and thermal energy are effective in enhancing the micromixing process; however, integration of these energy sources within the devices is a non-trivial task. In this study, ultrasound and thermal energy have been extraneously applied at the upstream of the micromixer to significantly reduce fabrication complexity. A novel Dean micromixer was laser-fabricated to passively increase mixing performance and compared with T- and Y-micromixers at Reynolds numbers between 5 to 100. The micromixers had a relatively higher mixing index at lower Reynolds number, attributed to higher residence time. Dean micromixer exhibits higher mixing performance (about 27% better) than T- and Y-micromixers for 40 ≤ Re ≤ 100. Influence of ultrasound and heat on mixing is more significant at 5 ≤ Re ≤ 20 due to the prolonged mechanical effects. It can be observed that mixing index increases by about 6% to 10% once the temperature of the sonicated fluids increases from 30 °C to 60 °C. The proposed method is potentially useful as direct contact of the inductive energy sources may cause unwanted substrate damage and structural deformation especially for applications in biological analysis and chemical synthesis.

Analysis of mixing performances in microchannel with obstacles of different aspect ratios

2019 ◽  
Vol 233 (5) ◽  
pp. 1045-1051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bappa Mondal ◽  
Sukumar Pati ◽  
PK Patowari
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Flow Condition ◽  
Schmidt Number ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Rectangular Microchannel ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
Flow Through

In this study, the mixing performance and pressure drop characteristics have been numerically analyzed for flow through rectangular microchannel with obstacles in the walls arranged in a staggered manner. Three different aspect ratios (AR) of the obstacles are considered, namely 4:1, 1:1, and 1:4. The effects of aspect ratio of the obstacles on the mixing efficiency and the pressure drop are analyzed and compared with that of the channel without obstacle. The results are presented in terms of Reynolds number (Re) and Schmidt number (Sc) in the following range: 0.2 ≤ Re ≤ 1 and 500 ≤ Sc ≤ 1500. Enhanced mixing efficiency is achieved for the case of microchannel with obstacles and the corresponding pressure drop is also found to be higher. The mixing efficiency as well as the pressure drop is maximum for AR = 1:4 among all the geometries considered in the analysis in same flow condition. Furthermore, for a given configuration of the microchannel the mixing efficiency is governed by the mass Peclet number and, accordingly, the mixing efficiency increases with the decrease in Schmidt number for a given Reynolds number.

Effect of Viscosity and Reynolds Number for Flow in Converging Microchannels

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Macken ◽  
Christopher Boutelle ◽  
Logan Osgood-Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Interface Surface ◽  
Interface Location ◽  
Reynolds Number Effects ◽  
Flow Curvature ◽  
Microfluidic Flows ◽  
Flow Inertia

The interface between intersecting microfluidic flows is investigated experimentally. Two microchannel configurations are studied. Each configuration has a main channel and an intersecting daughter channel. The channel cross sections are equal and square with the intersection either at 90 or 45 degrees. Flow visualization is achieved using confocal fluorescence microscopy. The flow interface is examined for equal and unequal viscosities and a range of Reynolds numbers. Viscosity differences and Reynolds numbers influence the three-dimensional nature of the interface. As the Reynolds number increases, the increased flow inertia produces curvature in the interface surface perpendicular to the flow. Curvature is also evident in flows with unequal viscosities. The interface location at fixed flow ratios is independent of the Reynolds number, but varies significantly with unequal viscosity ratios. Viscosity and Reynolds number effects are similar in both the 45 and 90 degree configurations.

Numerical Investigation and Geometric Parameterization of Lamination Inlet of Passive Micromixer

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfeng Fan ◽  
Ibrahim Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Mixing Efficiency ◽  
Mixing Length ◽  
Straight Channel ◽  
Interface Area ◽  
Mixing Performance ◽  
Passive Micromixer ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Parallel Type

A lamination inlet is proposed and optimized in this paper. The perpendicular incoming fluids are applied instead of parallel type. The total mixing length is fixed at 3.2 mm and the depth of channel is fixed at 0.1 mm. The tested Reynolds number is calculated at the entrance of downstream straight channel. The tested Reynolds numbers range from 5 to 200. The perpendicular incoming type enhances the mass-convection and enlarges the interface area. Two parameters, the radius of holes (R) and the distance between two holes (D1), are selected to achieve the optimization. Numerical simulation is used to estimate the mixing performance and flow characteristics. The results show that the vortices are generated in the microchannel. The interface becomes irregular. In order to evaluate the mixing improvement, the parallel lamination is also simulated. The comparison shows that the perpendicular inlet type has better mixing efficiency than the parallel lamination type. This inlet type could be connected with certain mixing element to achieve the applications in biochemistry.

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