title: A multi-functional bubble-based microfluidic system.
abstract: Recently, the bubble-based systems have offered a new paradigm in microfluidics. Gas bubbles are highly flexible, controllable and barely mix with liquids, and thus can be used for the creation of reconfigurable microfluidic systems. In this work, a hydrodynamically actuated bubble-based microfluidic system is introduced. This system enables the precise movement of air bubbles via axillary feeder channels to alter the geometry of the main channel and consequently the flow characteristics of the system. Mixing of neighbouring streams is demonstrated by oscillating the bubble at desired displacements and frequencies. Flow control is achieved by pushing the bubble to partially or fully close the main channel. Patterning of suspended particles is also demonstrated by creating a large bubble along the sidewalls. Rigorous analytical and numerical calculations are presented to describe the operation of the system. The examples presented in this paper highlight the versatility of the developed bubble-based actuator for a variety of applications; thus providing a vision that can be expanded for future highly reconfigurable microfluidics.
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Khashayar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khoshmanesh
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almansouri
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Hamad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Albloushi
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Pyshar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Soffe
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kalantar-zadeh