Design and Validation of On-chip Planar Mixer Based on Advection and Viscoelastic Effects

Julius, Lourdes Albino Nirupa and Jagannadh, Veerendra Kalyan and Michael, Issac J and Srinivasan, Rajesh and Gorthi, Sai Siva (2016) Design and Validation of On-chip Planar Mixer Based on Advection and Viscoelastic Effects. In: BIOCHIP JOURNAL, 10 (1). pp. 16-24.

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Abstract

Mixing at low Reynolds number is usually due to diffusion and requires longer channel lengths for complete mixing. In order to reduce the mixing lengths, advective flow can be induced by varying the channel geometry. Additionally, in non-newtonian fluids, appropriate modifications to channel geometry can be used to aid the mixing process by capitalizing on their viscoelastic nature. Here we have exploited the advection and viscoelastic effects to implement a planar passive micro-mixer. Microfluidic devices incorporating different blend of mixing geometries were conceived. The optimum design was chosen based on the results of the numerical simulations performed in COMSOL. The chosen design had sudden expansion and contraction along with teeth patterns along the channel walls to improve mixing. Mixing of two different dyes was performed to validate the mixing efficiency. Particle dispersion experiments were also carried out. The results indicated effective mixing. In addition, the same design was also found to be compatible with electrical power free pumping mechanism like suction. The proposed design was then used to carry out on-chip chemical cell lysis with human whole blood samples to establish its use with non-newtonian fluids. Complete lysis of the erythrocytes was observed leaving behind the white blood cells at the outlet.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	BIOCHIP JOURNAL
Publisher:	KOREAN BIOCHIP SOCIETY-KBCS
Additional Information:	Copy right for this aticle belongs to the KOREAN BIOCHIP SOCIETY-KBCS, KOREA SCI & TECHNOL CENT, #310, 635-4, YEOGSAM-DONG, KANGNAM-GU, SEOUL, 135-703, SOUTH KOREA
Keywords:	Microfluidics; Lab-on-a-chip; Planar micro-mixer; Advection; Viscoelastic effect; Cell lysis
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Instrumentation Appiled Physics
Date Deposited:	23 Apr 2016 05:44
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2018 14:46
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/53686

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