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Applications of electrohydrodynamics and Joule heating effects in microfluidic chips: A review

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Abstract

This review article presents an overview on the application of electrohydrodynamics and Joule heating effects in microfluidic chips. A brief introduction of microfluidic chips and a classification of electrohydrodynamics as well as the applications in microfluidic devices are first given. Then basic theories and governing equations of classical electromagnetics are summarized and electroviscous effects in pressure driven flows in a microchannel are presented. Principles and applications of DC electrokinetics, including DC electroosmotic flow, DC electrophoresis, as well as principles of AC electrokinetics, including AC electroosmotic flow and dielectrophoresis are also reviewed. Finally, Joule heating effects in both DC and AC electrokinetics, especially the newly discovered electrothermal flow, are summaried.

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  1. Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Power and Machinery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Jun Cao, Ping Cheng & FangJun Hong

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  1. Jun Cao
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  2. Ping Cheng
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  3. FangJun Hong
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Correspondence to Ping Cheng.

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Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50536010) and the Shanghai Municipal Science & Technology Committee through Key Fundamental (Grant No. 08JC1411100)

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Cao, J., Cheng, P. & Hong, F. Applications of electrohydrodynamics and Joule heating effects in microfluidic chips: A review. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 52, 3477–3490 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-009-0313-z

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