Passive micromixer with break-up obstructions

Ali Asgar S. Bhagat; Erik T. K. Peterson; Ian Papautsky

doi:10.1117/12.648150

23 January 2006 Passive micromixer with break-up obstructions

Ali Asgar S. Bhagat, Erik T. K. Peterson, Ian Papautsky

Proceedings Volume 6112, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems IV; 61120J (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.648150
Event: MOEMS-MEMS 2006 Micro and Nanofabrication, 2006, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

In this paper, we report on design and fabrication of a passive microfluidic mixer capable of mixing at low Reynolds numbers (Re). Passive mixers typically use channel geometry to mix fluids, and many previously reported designs that work only at moderate to high Reynolds numbers and are often difficult to fabricate. Our design uses diamond-shaped obstructions inside the microchannel to break up and laminate the flow, thus enhancing mixing. Both numerical and experimental studies show that the mixer is efficient at mixing fluids at low Reynolds numbers. We benchmarked our mixer design against a conventional T-mixer. Results show that the new design exhibits rapid mixing at Re < 0.1. The new mixer has a planar design which is easy to fabricate and thus will benefit a wide range of lab-on-a-chip applications.

Citation Download Citation

Ali Asgar S. Bhagat, Erik T. K. Peterson, and Ian Papautsky "Passive micromixer with break-up obstructions", Proc. SPIE 6112, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems IV, 61120J (23 January 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.648150

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available