Engineering and Analysis of Surface Interactions in a Microfluidic Herringbone Micromixer

Published

May 18, 2012

Author(s)

Thomas P. Forbes, Jason G. Kralj

Abstract

We developed a computational model and theoretical framework to investigate the geometrical optimization of particle-surface interactions in a herringbone micromixer. The enhancement of biomolecule- and particle-surface interactions in microfluidic devices through mixing and streamline disruption holds promise for a variety of applications. This analysis provides guidelines for optimizing the frequency and specific location of surface interactions based on the flow pattern and relative hydraulic resistance between a groove and the effective channel. The channel bottom, i.e., channel surface between grooves, was identified as the dominant location for surface contact. In addition, geometries that decrease the groove-to-channel hydraulic resistance improve contact with the channel top. Thus, herringbone mixers appear useful for a variety of surface-interaction applications; yet, they have largely not been employed in an optimized fashion.

Citation

Lab on A Chip

Volume

12

Issue

15

Pub Type

Journals

Download Paper

DOI Link

Keywords

Microfluidics, Surface Interactions, Numerical Analysis, Herringbone Mixer

Citation

Forbes, T. and Kralj, J. (2012), Engineering and Analysis of Surface Interactions in a Microfluidic Herringbone Micromixer, Lab on A Chip, [online], https://doi.org/10.1039/c2lc40356k (Accessed October 11, 2025)