Evaluation of passive planar microfluidic devices for mixing of particle flows

Abstract

In this paper, the design, modeling, fabrication and characterization of a planar passive microfluidic mixer capable of mixing particulate laden flows at low Reynolds numbers (Re) is reported. Particle-based flow modeling was performed using CFD-ACE+ software to simulate micromixer designs for efficient particle dispersion across microchannel cross-section. The micromixer design developed herein incorporates rectangular shaped obstructions within the microchannel to propel both the particles within the flow and the flow itself into the other half of the channel, thereby achieving mixing. A simple technique to analyze and quantify particle mixing is also proposed. The developed particle micromixer has a simple planar structure, thereby resulting in easy realization and integration with on-chip microfluidic systems, such as micro total analysis systems or lab-on-a-chip.