2005 Annual Meeting

(222b) Towards the Design of High Efficiency, Passive Microfluidic Mixers

Authors

Joel P. Golden - Presenter, Naval Research Laboratory
Peter B. Howell, Naval Research Laboratory
David R. Mott, Naval Research Laboratory
Carolyn R. Kaplan, Naval Research Laboratory
Elaine S. Oran, Naval Research Laboratory
Frances S. Ligler, Naval Research Laboratory


Through a combination of computational fluid dynamics and rapid prototyping, we have developed various designs of mixers for millifluidic and microfluidic applications. Two designs will be presented: a mixer based on the Dean vortex, and a groove-based (surface-patterned) mixer. The Dean-based mixer has a low surface area-to-volume ratio, reducing the risk of fouling, but requires a high flow rate to operate. The groove-based mixer has a higher surface area, but operates over a wide range of flow conditions. In the process of developing these mixers, we have gained a deeper understanding of how to control the movement of the fluid streams within the channel. We are developing designs that will improve mixing in shorter path lengths.