A simple planar micromixer with low-pressure drop for disposable lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems

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

doi:10.1117/12.698370

22 January 2007 A simple planar micromixer with low-pressure drop for disposable lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems

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

Proceedings Volume 6465, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems V; 64650A (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698370
Event: MOEMS-MEMS 2007 Micro and Nanofabrication, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

In this work the design and fabrication of a novel passive microfluidic mixer capable of achieving mixing in shorter distances and lower Reynolds numbers (Re) is reported. Passive mixers typically rely on the channel geometry to mix fluids, and many previously reported designs work efficiently only at moderate to high Re and are often difficult to fabricate as they incorporate complex 3-D structures within the channel. The mixer design discussed in this work achieves good mixing at low Re, has planar geometry and thus is simpler to fabricate and integrate with existing labon- a-chip (LOC) technologies. The design incorporates triangular notches patterned along the channel walls to laminate the flow, thus enhancing mixing. Numerical and experimental studies to determine the effect of the notch dimensions and placement within the microchannel were carried out to optimize the mixing performance. Results show that the final mixer design is efficient at mixing fluids at low Re. The mixer is fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) bonded to glass slides and tested using fluorescence dyes. Results show that the new design exhibit complete mixing at Re < 0.1 within 7 mm and thus will benefit a wide range of LOC applications where space is limited.

Citation Download Citation

Ali Asgar S. Bhagat, Erik T. K. Peterson, and Ian Papautsky "A simple planar micromixer with low-pressure drop for disposable lab-on-a-chip (LOC) systems", Proc. SPIE 6465, Microfluidics, BioMEMS, and Medical Microsystems V, 64650A (22 January 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.698370

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