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Evolution of focused streams for viscoelastic flow in spiral microchannels
Hua Gao1, Jian Zhou1, Mohammad Moein Naderi1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607 USA.
Microsystems & Nanoengineering
|June 8, 2023
Summary
This study reveals how particle migration in viscoelastic fluids is influenced by flow rate, device curvature, and viscosity in spiral microchannels. These findings guide the design of microfluidic devices for efficient 3D particle focusing and cell sorting.
Area of Science:
- Microfluidics
- Biophysics
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Particle migration in viscoelastic fluids is crucial for applications like 3D particle focusing and label-free cell sorting.
- The precise mechanisms of Dean-coupled elasto-inertial migration in spiral microchannels remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate particle focusing behavior along the downstream length of spiral microchannels at a high blockage ratio.
- To elucidate the influence of flow rate, device curvature, and medium viscosity on particle lateral and vertical migration.
Main Methods:
- Experimental demonstration of particle migration dynamics.
- Utilizing spiral microchannels with high blockage ratios.
- Employing side-view imaging to observe vertical migration of focused particle streams.
Main Results:
- Particle migration and focusing patterns were observed to evolve along the channel's downstream length.
- Flow rate, device curvature, and medium viscosity were identified as key factors affecting particle lateral migration.
- Vertical migration of focused streams was visualized using side-view imaging.
Conclusions:
- This research provides the first experimental demonstration of particle focusing evolution in spiral microchannels at high blockage ratios.
- The findings offer valuable insights into the interplay of viscoelasticity, channel geometry, and flow conditions on particle migration.
- The results are expected to guide the design of advanced elasto-inertial microfluidic devices for enhanced cell sorting and cytometry.
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