Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer
We developed a highly efficient passive mixing device based on a split-and-recombine (SAR) configuration. This micromixer was constructed by simply bonding two identical microfluidic periodical open-trench patterns face to face. The structure parameters of periodical units were optimized through num...
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Micromachines |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/10/1720 |
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| author | Xiannian Zhang Zhenwei Qian Mengcheng Jiang Wentao Li Yanyi Huang Yongfan Men |
| author_facet | Xiannian Zhang Zhenwei Qian Mengcheng Jiang Wentao Li Yanyi Huang Yongfan Men |
| author_sort | Xiannian Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We developed a highly efficient passive mixing device based on a split-and-recombine (SAR) configuration. This micromixer was constructed by simply bonding two identical microfluidic periodical open-trench patterns face to face. The structure parameters of periodical units were optimized through numerical simulation to facilitate the mixing efficiency. Despite the simplicity in design and fabrication, it provided rapid mixing performance in both experiment and simulation conditions. To better illustrate the mixing mechanism, we developed a novel scheme to achieve high-resolution confocal imaging of serial channel cross-sections to accurately characterize the mixing details and performance after each SAR cycle. Using fluorescent IgG as an indicator, nearly complete mixing was achieved using only four SAR cycles in an aqueous solution within a device’s length of less than 10 mm for fluids with a Péclet number up to 8.7 × 10<sup>4</sup>. Trajectory analysis revealed that each SAR cycle transforms the input fluids using three synergetic effects: rotation, combination, and stretching to increase the interfaces exponentially. Furthermore, we identified that the pressure gradients in the parallel plane of the curved channel induced vertical convection, which is believed to be the driving force underlying these effects to accelerate the mixing process. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:46:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7fc78c0263e94eb6a4a95ce4aa489b44 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:46:27Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj.art-7fc78c0263e94eb6a4a95ce4aa489b442023-11-24T01:23:20ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2022-10-011310172010.3390/mi13101720Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic MixerXiannian Zhang0Zhenwei Qian1Mengcheng Jiang2Wentao Li3Yanyi Huang4Yongfan Men5School of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, ChinaBiomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaBiomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaBiomedical Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC), Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaResearch Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, ChinaWe developed a highly efficient passive mixing device based on a split-and-recombine (SAR) configuration. This micromixer was constructed by simply bonding two identical microfluidic periodical open-trench patterns face to face. The structure parameters of periodical units were optimized through numerical simulation to facilitate the mixing efficiency. Despite the simplicity in design and fabrication, it provided rapid mixing performance in both experiment and simulation conditions. To better illustrate the mixing mechanism, we developed a novel scheme to achieve high-resolution confocal imaging of serial channel cross-sections to accurately characterize the mixing details and performance after each SAR cycle. Using fluorescent IgG as an indicator, nearly complete mixing was achieved using only four SAR cycles in an aqueous solution within a device’s length of less than 10 mm for fluids with a Péclet number up to 8.7 × 10<sup>4</sup>. Trajectory analysis revealed that each SAR cycle transforms the input fluids using three synergetic effects: rotation, combination, and stretching to increase the interfaces exponentially. Furthermore, we identified that the pressure gradients in the parallel plane of the curved channel induced vertical convection, which is believed to be the driving force underlying these effects to accelerate the mixing process.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/10/1720microfluidic mixermicrofabricationlab-on-chipuTAS |
| spellingShingle | Xiannian Zhang Zhenwei Qian Mengcheng Jiang Wentao Li Yanyi Huang Yongfan Men Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer Micromachines microfluidic mixer microfabrication lab-on-chip uTAS |
| title | Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer |
| title_full | Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer |
| title_fullStr | Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer |
| title_full_unstemmed | Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer |
| title_short | Design and High-Resolution Analysis of an Efficient Periodic Split-and-Recombination Microfluidic Mixer |
| title_sort | design and high resolution analysis of an efficient periodic split and recombination microfluidic mixer |
| topic | microfluidic mixer microfabrication lab-on-chip uTAS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/13/10/1720 |
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