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Published on: September 2, 2009
Pressure-driven flow control system for nanofluidic chemical process.
Eiichiro Tamaki1, Akihide Hibara, Haeng-Boo Kim
1Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan.
Journal of Chromatography. A
|November 30, 2006
Summary
A new flow control system for nanofluidic processes uses a backpressure regulator to manage liquid pressure. This method enables precise control and reveals size-dependent viscosity changes in nanochannels.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Controlling fluid flow in nanochannels is challenging due to high-pressure loss and low flow rates.
- Existing methods struggle with the precise regulation required for nanochemical processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel flow control system for nanofluidic chemical processes.
- To investigate flow behavior and potential viscosity changes within nanochannels.
Main Methods:
- A backpressure regulator was employed to control liquid pressure in a microchannel connected to nanochannels.
- A microchip with parallel nanochannels was used for experimental verification.
- Demonstrated mixing of fluorescent solutions and a proton exchange reaction in a Y-shaped nanochannel.
Main Results:
- The developed flow control system successfully regulated flow in nanochannels.
- Observed flow rates were significantly lower (three times) than predicted by Hagen-Poiseuille's equation.
- Evidence of size-dependent viscosity changes within the nanochannels was observed.
Conclusions:
- The novel backpressure regulator method offers effective flow control for nanofluidic systems.
- The findings highlight the importance of considering size-dependent viscosity in nanofluidics.
- This advancement facilitates the integration of nanochemical systems.
