A fast microfluidic mixer based on acoustically driven sidewall-trapped microbubbles

作者：Ahmed Daniel; Mao Xiaole; Juluri Bala Krishna; Huang Tony Jun^*

来源：Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2009, 7(5): 727-731.

DOI：10.1007/s10404-009-0444-3

• Microfluidics
• Rapid mixing
• Bubble-trap
• Acoustic microstreaming

Due to the low Reynolds number associated with microscale fluid flow, it is difficult to rapidly and homogenously mix two fluids. In this letter, we report a fast and homogenized mixing device through the use of a bubble-based microfluidic structure. This micromixing device worked by trapping air bubbles within the pre-designed grooves on the sidewalls of the channel. When acoustically driven, the membranes (liquid/air interfaces) of these trapped bubbles started to oscillate. The bubble oscillation resulted in a microstreaming phenomenon-strong pressure and velocity fluctuations in the bulk liquid, thus giving rise to fast and homogenized mixing of two side-by-side flowing fluids. The performance of the mixer was characterized by mixing deionized water and ink at different flow rates. The mixing time was measured to be as small as 120 ms.

• 出版日期2009-11