Micromixers Micromixing Micromixer Microchemistry Micro Mixer Micro-Mixer
Rapid mixing can be achieved under the laminar conditions associated with microfluidic structures by temporally interleaving the injection of the liquids. The interface regions between the interleaved slugs of liquid are rapidly increased by the parabolic flow profile across the channel, thus allowing mixing to occur rapidly by diffusion.
A micro-milled PMMA micromixer structure demonstrates the highly laminar flow conditions under which microfluidic systems function. Precise temporal control of the fluid switching is performed using computer controlled external conventional miniature valves.
|
|
|
 |
Highly laminar fluid flow in milled PMMA fluid structure. Click to play. |
CFD Model of original temporally interleaved mixer structure. |
Temporally interleaved mixing in milled PMMA fluid structure. Click to play. |
Within the group CFD modelling of the fluid flow within the mixing structures has led to redesign of critical regions resulting in improved mixing.
PDMS/glass micromixers have been designed and fabricated using the revised injector structure. The mixers have been tested using external conventional miniature valves operated using a microcontroller system developed to support undergraduate courses.
 |
 |
 |
Mixing of a large slug of blue with a large slug of yellow, due to the parabolic flow within the channel. |
CFD Model of temporally interleaved mixing using a new injector design. |
Microcontroller based system used for testing pdms microfluidic structures. |
Integration of micromixer structures and piezoelectrically operated PDMS/glass microvalves has resulted in a piezoelectrically operated mixing device, capable of mixing over a range of concentrations.
|
|
Integrated temporally interleaved mixing. Composed of 2 piezoelectrically actuated pdms/glass seal valves to control the fluid injection into a pdms/glass micromixer, mounted on a PCB. Click to play. |
M&M Group Home |
Projects |
Publications |
Sponsors |
Staff |