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Design and fabrication of micro-mixer with short turns angles for self-generated turbulent structures

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Abstract

Micro mixing process is one of the most important drugs, synthesis and process technology. Many expectations toward enhanced fluids miscibility, yield and purity, improved safety, and access to new discovery are directed to the micro mixing technology. In microfluidic technology, mixer is the most important component because of its ability to operate either active or passive micro mixing. The study reports a simple inexpensive and cost effective micro mixer design/simulation/fabrication using 4.3a COMSOL Multi-physics software package and homemade photolithography equipment. The micro mixer was fabricated using PDMS and glass substrate with master mold fabricated with SU8 for rapid prototyping and reusability, the micro mixer and the whole mixer were fabricated in less than 20 min. Mixing profiles were observed for the efficiency evaluation by dropping four samples urine through the four inlets and collecting the sample at outlet. Flow rate and mixing efficiency were quantitatively measured by analyzing the recorded flow profiles and values of the image collected from the high powered microscope at inlet and outlet locations. and sample flow and mixing were compared for flowing efficiency and flow rate using different concentrations and the results indicate that the mixing efficiency of 98% was obtained at Reynolds number (Re) <2.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Universiti Malaysia Perlis UniMAP and Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia for giving COE-MTUN grant to conduct this research in the Micro and Nano Fabrication Lab. Appreciation also goes to all the team members in the Institute of Nanoelectronic Engineering especially the Nano structure Lab On chip Research Group.

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Correspondence to Tijjani Adam.

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Adam, T., Hashim, U. Design and fabrication of micro-mixer with short turns angles for self-generated turbulent structures. Microsyst Technol 22, 433–440 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-015-2453-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-015-2453-3

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