3D particle transport in multichannel microfluidic networks with rough surfaces

Area of Science:

• Fluid dynamics
• Microfluidics
• Particle transport

Background:

• Particle and fluid transport in microfluidic networks depend on channel characteristics.
• Real microfluidic channels exhibit surface textures and geometries affecting transport compared to ideal smooth channels.
• Irregular channel surfaces create complex boundary conditions influencing particle trajectories and interactions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of non-ideal surface textures on particle transport within multichannel microfluidic networks.
• To develop and utilize advanced imaging techniques for high-resolution, large-volume particle tracking.
• To compare experimental findings with simulation results for validation.

Main Methods:

• Development of an extended field-of-view 3D macroscope for particle tracking.
• Investigation of a model multichannel microfluidic network.
• Utilizing topographical surface profiles for Lattice Boltzmann simulations.
• Experimental particle tracking and simulation of particle distributions.

Main Results:

• Experimental measurements and simulations closely reproduced particle distributions.
• Both methods demonstrated sensitivity to surface roughness effects.
• Inertial focusing led to large particles forming an annular distribution, restricting their network transport.
• Small particles exhibited uniform transport across all network regions.

Conclusions:

• Microchannel surface topography significantly influences particle transport dynamics.
• Inertial forces play a crucial role in particle redistribution within microfluidic networks.
• The developed 3D macroscope and simulation approach provide accurate methods for studying complex microfluidic phenomena.