Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis
We propose herein a novel microfluidic approach for the simultaneous active pumping and mixing of analytes in a straight microchannel via the AC field-effect control of induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) around metal–dielectric solid Janus cylinders of inherent inhomogeneous electrical polarizabi...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/14/8253 |
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| author | Weiyu Liu Ye Tao Yaoyao Chen Zhenyou Ge Junshuo Chen Yanbo Li |
| author_facet | Weiyu Liu Ye Tao Yaoyao Chen Zhenyou Ge Junshuo Chen Yanbo Li |
| author_sort | Weiyu Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We propose herein a novel microfluidic approach for the simultaneous active pumping and mixing of analytes in a straight microchannel via the AC field-effect control of induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) around metal–dielectric solid Janus cylinders of inherent inhomogeneous electrical polarizability immersed in an electrolyte solution. We coin the term “Janus AC flow field-effect transistor (Janus AC-FFET)” to describe this interesting physical phenomenon. The proposed technique utilizes a simple device geometry, in which one or a series of Janus microcylinders are arranged in parallel along the centerline of the channel’s bottom surface, embedding a pair of 3D sidewall driving electrodes. By combining symmetry breaking in both surface polarizability and the AC powering scheme, it is possible, on demand, to adjust the degree of asymmetry of the ICEO flow profile in two orthogonal directions, which includes the horizontal pump and transversal rotating motion. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed under the Debye–Hückel limit to elucidate the physical mechanism underlying the field-effect-reconfigurable diffuse-charge dynamics on both the dielectric and the metal-phase surfaces of the Janus micropillar. For innovation in applied science, an advanced microdevice design integrating an array of discrete Janus cylinders subjected to two oppositely polarized gate terminals is recommended for constructing an active microfluidic pump and mixer, even without external moving parts. Supported by a simulation analysis, our physical demonstration of Janus AC-FFET provides a brand-new approach to muti-directional electro-convective manipulation in modern microfluidic systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:20:38Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69653f6c98714eddb6a202804fc32f62 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T01:20:38Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-69653f6c98714eddb6a202804fc32f622023-11-18T18:10:27ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-07-011314825310.3390/app13148253Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation AnalysisWeiyu Liu0Ye Tao1Yaoyao Chen2Zhenyou Ge3Junshuo Chen4Yanbo Li5School of Electronics and Control Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaSchool of Continuing Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaSchool of Mechatronics Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaSchool of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaSchool of Energy and Electrical Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaWe propose herein a novel microfluidic approach for the simultaneous active pumping and mixing of analytes in a straight microchannel via the AC field-effect control of induced-charge electro-osmosis (ICEO) around metal–dielectric solid Janus cylinders of inherent inhomogeneous electrical polarizability immersed in an electrolyte solution. We coin the term “Janus AC flow field-effect transistor (Janus AC-FFET)” to describe this interesting physical phenomenon. The proposed technique utilizes a simple device geometry, in which one or a series of Janus microcylinders are arranged in parallel along the centerline of the channel’s bottom surface, embedding a pair of 3D sidewall driving electrodes. By combining symmetry breaking in both surface polarizability and the AC powering scheme, it is possible, on demand, to adjust the degree of asymmetry of the ICEO flow profile in two orthogonal directions, which includes the horizontal pump and transversal rotating motion. A comprehensive mathematical model was developed under the Debye–Hückel limit to elucidate the physical mechanism underlying the field-effect-reconfigurable diffuse-charge dynamics on both the dielectric and the metal-phase surfaces of the Janus micropillar. For innovation in applied science, an advanced microdevice design integrating an array of discrete Janus cylinders subjected to two oppositely polarized gate terminals is recommended for constructing an active microfluidic pump and mixer, even without external moving parts. Supported by a simulation analysis, our physical demonstration of Janus AC-FFET provides a brand-new approach to muti-directional electro-convective manipulation in modern microfluidic systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/14/8253microfluidic pump and mixerAC field-effect flow controlinduced-charge electro-osmosismetal–dielectric Janus micropillarinhomogeneous electrical polarizabilitygate terminal |
| spellingShingle | Weiyu Liu Ye Tao Yaoyao Chen Zhenyou Ge Junshuo Chen Yanbo Li Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis Applied Sciences microfluidic pump and mixer AC field-effect flow control induced-charge electro-osmosis metal–dielectric Janus micropillar inhomogeneous electrical polarizability gate terminal |
| title | Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis |
| title_full | Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis |
| title_short | Developing an Active Microfluidic Pump and Mixer Driven by AC Field-Effect-Mediated Induced-Charge Electro-Osmosis of Metal–Dielectric Janus Micropillars: Physical Perspective and Simulation Analysis |
| title_sort | developing an active microfluidic pump and mixer driven by ac field effect mediated induced charge electro osmosis of metal dielectric janus micropillars physical perspective and simulation analysis |
| topic | microfluidic pump and mixer AC field-effect flow control induced-charge electro-osmosis metal–dielectric Janus micropillar inhomogeneous electrical polarizability gate terminal |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/14/8253 |
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