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Updated: May 27, 2026

Analyzing Mixing Inhomogeneity in a Microfluidic Device by Microscale Schlieren Technique
Published on: June 12, 2015
Oscillating gradient measurements of fast oscillatory and rotational motion in the fluids
Igor V Mastikhin1, Nathan L Hetherington, Rhys Emms
1MRI Centre, Department of Physics, University of New Brunswick, 8 Bailey Drive, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada E3B 5A3. mast@unb.ca
Abstract:
We demonstrate the combination of oscillating gradient waveforms with single-point imaging techniques to perform measurements of rapidly oscillating and/or rotating fluid motion. Measurements of Fourier components of motion can be performed over a wide range of frequencies, while the immunity of single-point imaging to time-evolution artefacts allows applications to systems with great susceptibility variations. The processing approaches, displacement resolution, and the diffusive attenuation are analyzed. Measurements of high-speed flow rotation in a spiral phantom, periodic displacements of oscillating gas in a thermoacoustic device and of cavitating liquid reveal a variety of motion spectra. The potential systems for study with the technique include turbulent motion, cavitation, and multiphase flows in general.
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