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Microparticle tracking velocimetry as a tool for microfluidic flow measurements

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Abstract

The accurate measurement of flows in microfluidic channels is important for commercial and research applications. We compare the accuracy of flow measurement techniques over a wide range flows. Flow measurements made using holographic microparticle tracking velocimetry (µPTV) and a gravimetric flow standard over the range of 0.5–100 nL/s agree within 0.25%, well within the uncertainty of the two flow systems. Two commercial thermal flow sensors were used as the intermediaries (transfer standards) between the two flow measurement systems. The gravimetric flow standard was used to calibrate the thermal flow sensors by measuring the rate of change of the mass of liquid in a beaker on a micro-balance as it fills. The holographic µPTV flow measurements were made in a rectangular channel and the flow was seeded with 1 µm diameter polystyrene spheres. The volumetric flow was calculated using the Hagen–Pouiseille solution for a rectangular channel. The uncertainty of both flow measurement systems is given. For the gravimetric standard, relative uncertainty increased for decreasing flows due to surface tension forces between the pipette carrying the flow and the free surface of the liquid in the beaker. The uncertainty of the holographic µPTV measurements did not vary significantly over the measured flow range, and thus comparatively are especially useful at low flow velocities.

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Notes

  1. Certain commercial materials and equipment are identified in this paper in order to adequately specify the experimental procedure. In no case does such identification imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor does it imply that these are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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Acknowledgements

The National Institute of Standards and Technology on a Chip funding is gratefully acknowledged. We thank Gregory Cooksey for a careful reading of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polymers and Complex Fluids Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    Paul Salipante & Steven D. Hudson

  2. Fluid Metrology Group, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USA

    James W. Schmidt & John D. Wright

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  1. Paul Salipante
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  2. Steven D. Hudson
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  3. James W. Schmidt
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  4. John D. Wright
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Correspondence to Paul Salipante.

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Salipante, P., Hudson, S.D., Schmidt, J.W. et al. Microparticle tracking velocimetry as a tool for microfluidic flow measurements. Exp Fluids 58, 85 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-017-2362-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-017-2362-6

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