title: Diffusion characteristics of a T-type microchannel with different configurations and inlet angles.
abstract: A series of symmetrical and asymmetrical microfluidic T-sensors with different inlet angles were fabricated to study the mixing characteristics of a T-type microstructure for generating concentration gradient. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations showed that the concentration gradient, transition zone and diffusion length were different for various configurations and inlet angles. Quick mix and sharp concentration gradient occurred in the asymmetrical structure with large inlet angle. The observed concentration gradients in the fabricated microchannel were consistent with the theoretical prediction. In this microstructure, stagnant zone and z-direction diffusion also affected the concentration gradient. Based on the simulation results, the microfluidic structure was optimized to generate desired concentration gradient for a cell-based study.
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering College, Chongqing University, People's Republic of China. yjun1999@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xitian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Pi
authors.forename: Liguo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiangshao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Wenxian
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaolin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D004996:Ethidium / Q000737:chemistry; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D044085:Microfluidics; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D004996:Ethidium