title: Computational fluid dynamics modelling of microfluidic channel for dielectrophoretic BioMEMS application.
abstract: We propose a strategy for optimizing distribution of flow in a typical benchtop microfluidic chamber for dielectrophoretic application. It is aimed at encouraging uniform flow velocity along the whole analysis chamber in order to ensure DEP force is evenly applied to biological particle. Via the study, we have come up with a constructive strategy in improving the design of microfluidic channel which will greatly facilitate the use of DEP system in laboratory and primarily focus on the relationship between architecture and cell distribution, by resorting to the tubular structure of blood vessels. The design was validated by hydrodynamic flow simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics v4.2a software. Simulations show that the presence of 2-level bifurcation has developed portioning of volumetric flow which produced uniform flow across the channel. However, further bifurcation will reduce the volumetric flow rate, thus causing undesirable deposition of cell suspension around the chamber. Finally, an improvement of microfluidic design with rounded corner is proposed to encourage a uniform cell adhesion within the channel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Shi
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Low
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nahrizul Adib
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kadri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Wan Abu Bakar bin Wan
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Abas
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D044085:Microfluidics; D008962:Models, Theoretical