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Numerical studies on micropart self-alignment using surface tension forces

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Abstract

The Fluidic Self-Alignment Approach provides an alternative means for fast, economic, and precise handling of thousands of micro-scale parts. The present study aims to examine the important parameters which govern the mechanisms of the fluidic self-assembly process by numerical simulations. A simplified 2D model system consists of a solid plate, a micro-scale liquid slug and a micropart. The computational model is based on first principle conservation equations and is constructed by the coupling of two-phase modeling, solid structure modeling, and fluid–structure coupling. A matching experimental system is set up for the micropart of aspect ratio from 3:1 to 10:1 to validate the 2D computational simulations. Simulations reveal that a high degree of hydrophilicity between the lubricant and the solid surfaces is required for the self-assembly of microparts. A lower lubricant height, a higher surface tension coefficient and a higher viscosity enforce the re-alignment/restoration process also. Characterization of the flow field inside lubricant slug also indicates that the asymmetry of the vortices/stress distribution at both ends of the lubricant meniscus is resulted as the micropart in a back-and-forth restoration process.

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Abbreviations

C :

damping coefficient

F :

liquid volume fraction

F SV :

volumetric surface tension force (N/m)

g:

gravitational constant (m2/s)

h :

lubricant height (m)

K :

stiffness

M :

mass (Kg)

P :

pressure (Pa)

t :

time (s)

u :

nodal displacement vector

U m :

velocity of the liquid–gas mixture (m/s)

α:

contact angle

αTop :

contact angle of micropart/lubricant/air

αBottom :

contact angle of substrate/lubricant/air

ρ m :

density of the liquid–gas mixture (kg/m3)

μ m :

viscosity of the liquid–gas mixture (Pa s)

γ:

surface tension (N/m)

\( \overset{\lower0.5em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\rightharpoonup}$}} {v} \) :

Velocity vector

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Acknowledgements

The authors highly appreciate the supports from the National Science Council, Taiwan under contract NSC95-2323-B-007-004.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Engineering and System Science, National Tsing Hua University, 101, Sec. 2, Kuang Fu Rd, Hsinchu, 30043, Taiwan, ROC

    Cheng Lin, Fangang Tseng & Ching-Chang Chieng

  2. National Center for High-Performance Computing, Tainan County, 74147, Taiwan, ROC

    Heng-Chuan Kan

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  1. Cheng Lin
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  2. Fangang Tseng
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Correspondence to Ching-Chang Chieng.

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Lin, C., Tseng, F., Kan, HC. et al. Numerical studies on micropart self-alignment using surface tension forces. Microfluid Nanofluid 6, 63–75 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-008-0294-4

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