Abstract
This paper proposes a novel rapid circular microfluidic mixer for micro-total-analysis-systems (μ-TAS) applications in which an unbalanced driving force is used to mix fluids in a circular chamber at low Reynolds numbers (Re). The microfluidic mixer has a three-layered structure and is fabricated on low-cost glass slides using a simple and reliable fabrication process. Using hydrodynamic pumps, fluids are driven from two inlet ports into a circular mixing chamber. Each inlet port separates into two separate channels, which are then attached to opposite sides of the 3-dimensional (3-D) circular mixing chamber. The unequal lengths of these inlet channels generate an unbalanced driving force, which enhances the mixing effect in the mixing chamber. Numerical simulations are performed to predict the fluid phenomena in the mixing chamber and to estimate the mixing performance under various Reynolds number conditions. The numerical results are verified by performing flow visualization experiments. A good agreement is found between the two sets of results. The numerical and experimental results reveal that the mixing performance can reach 91% within a mixing chamber of 1 mm diameter at a Reynolds number of Re = 3. Additionally, the results confirm that the unbalanced driving force produces a flow rotation in the circular mixer at low Reynolds numbers, which significantly enhances the mixing performance. The novel micromixing method presented in this study provides a simple solution for mixing problems in Lab-on-a-chip systems.
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Acknowledgments
The current authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided to this study by the National Science Council of Taiwan under Grant Nos. NSC 94-2320-B-110-003 and NSC 94-2320-B-020-001. The authors would also like to thank Mr. Yue-Fung Lin for his kind assistance during the experimental stages of this study.
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Lin, CH., Tsai, CH., Pan, CW. et al. Rapid circular microfluidic mixer utilizing unbalanced driving force. Biomed Microdevices 9, 43–50 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-006-9009-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10544-006-9009-3