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The 2D microfluidics cookbook - modeling convection and diffusion in plane flow devices
Etienne Boulais1, Thomas Gervais1,2
1Polytechnique Montreal, 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada. thomas.gervais@polymtl.ca.
Lab on a Chip
|March 8, 2023
Summary
This review unifies the understanding of 2D microfluidic systems, offering a mathematical framework for designing and analyzing these devices. It provides accessible tools for engineers to model complex 2D microfluidic transport phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Transport Phenomena
Background:
- Microfluidic systems increasingly utilize 2D flow fields instead of traditional microchannel networks.
- Existing design knowledge for microchannels is extensive, but understanding 2D microfluidic transport remains fragmented and inaccessible.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a unified theoretical framework for analyzing and designing 2D microfluidic technologies.
- To consolidate scattered knowledge into an accessible resource for engineers and experimentalists.
Main Methods:
- Modeling diverse 2D microfluidic devices using the Hele-Shaw cell analogy for flow and diffusion.
- Applying undergraduate-level mathematical tools including potential flow, superposition of charges, conformal transforms, and convection-diffusion.
- Developing a systematic approach or "recipe" for modeling various 2D microfluidic systems.
Main Results:
- Demonstration that numerous 2D microfluidic devices can be unified under the Hele-Shaw cell model.
- Successful application of accessible mathematical tools to create a predictive modeling framework.
- Establishment of a comprehensive theory for the design and operation of 2D microfluidic systems.
Conclusions:
- A unified framework and accessible mathematical tools are presented for 2D microfluidic design and analysis.
- The developed "recipe" simplifies the modeling of complex 2D microfluidic systems.
- This work lays the foundation for advanced topics and the creation of novel microfluidic devices.
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