Flow Field Visualization by Micro-PIV in an X-shaped Microfluidic Channel with Two Streams

Abstract

In order to well design a microfluidic fuel cell, a preliminary study of flow field visualization by micro-PIV in an X-shaped microfluidic channel with two streams was performed. Both streams with either the same or different flow rates were fed through two branches of an X-shaped microchannel. The visualization results show that the multi-streams for all tests are kept laminar over entire channel even if the different flow rates are fed. Besides, the X-shaped microchannel was confirmed that such design could separate two streams without any mixing at the exit of the main channel for further utilization of these liquids