Electroosmotic mixing in microchannels.
Mixing is an essential, yet challenging, process step for many Lab on a Chip (LOC) applications. This paper presents a method of mixing for microfluidic devices that relies upon electroosmotic flow. In physical tests and in computer simulations, we periodically vary the electric field with time to mix two aqueous solutions. Good mixing is shown to occur when the electroosmotic flow at the two inlets pulse out of phase, the Strouhal number is on the order of 1, and the pulse volumes are on the order of the intersection volume.
Glasgow
Ian
I
Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA.
Batton
John
J
Aubry
Nadine
N
D045424:Complex Mixtures / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D017022:Flow Injection Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D044085:Microfluidics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical
D045424:Complex Mixtures