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Engineering and Analysis of Surface Interactions in a Microfluidic Herringbone Micromixer

Published

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

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)

Issues

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Created May 18, 2012, Updated November 10, 2018
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