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Kheirkhah Barzoki A. Optimization of passive micromixers: effects of pillar configuration and gaps on mixing efficiency. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16245. [PMID: 39009602 PMCID: PMC11251160 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66664-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical bioreactions play a significant role in many of the microfluidic devices, and their applications in biomedical science have seen substantial growth. Given that effective mixing is vital for initiating biochemical reactions in many applications, micromixers have become increasingly prevalent for high-throughput assays. In this research, a numerical study using the finite element method was conducted to examine the fluid flow and mass transfer characteristics in novel micromixers featuring an array of pillars. The study utilized two-dimensional geometries. The impact of pillar configuration on mixing performance was evaluated using concentration distribution and mixing index as key metrics. The study explores the effects of pillar array design on mixing performance and pressure drop, drawing from principles such as contraction-expansion and split-recombine. Two configurations of pillar arrays, slanted and arrowhead, are introduced, each undergoing investigation regarding parameters such as pillar diameter, gap size between pillar groups, distance between pillars, and vertical shift in pillar groups. Subsequently, optimal micromixers are identified, exhibiting mixing efficiency exceeding 99.7% at moderate Reynolds number (Re = 1), a level typically challenging for micromixers to attain high mixing efficiency. Notably, the pressure drop remains low at 1102 Pa. Furthermore, the variations in mixing index over time and across different positions along the channel are examined. Both configurations demonstrate short mixing lengths and times. At a distance of 4300 μm from the inlet, the slanted and arrowhead configurations yielded mixing indices of 97.2% and 98.9%, respectively. The micromixers could provide a mixing index of 99.5% at the channel's end within 8 s. Additionally, both configurations exceeded 90% mixing indices by the 3 s. The combination of rapid mixing, low pressure drop, and short mixing length positions the novel micromixers as highly promising for microfluidic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Kheirkhah Barzoki
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran.
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Bai C, Tang X, Li Y, Arai T, Huang Q, Liu X. Acoustohydrodynamic micromixers: Basic mixing principles, programmable mixing prospectives, and biomedical applications. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2024; 18:021505. [PMID: 38659428 PMCID: PMC11037935 DOI: 10.1063/5.0179750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Acoustohydrodynamic micromixers offer excellent mixing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and flexible controllability compared with conventional micromixers. There are two mechanisms in acoustic micromixers: indirect influence by induced streamlines, exemplified by sharp-edge micromixers, and direct influence by acoustic waves, represented by surface acoustic wave micromixers. The former utilizes sharp-edge structures, while the latter employs acoustic wave action to affect both the fluid and its particles. However, traditional micromixers with acoustic bubbles achieve significant mixing performance and numerous programmable mixing platforms provide excellent solutions with wide applicability. This review offers a comprehensive overview of various micromixers, elucidates their underlying principles, and explores their biomedical applications. In addition, advanced programmable micromixing with impressive versatility, convenience, and ability of cross-scale operations is introduced in detail. We believe this review will benefit the researchers in the biomedical field to know the micromixers and find a suitable micromixing method for their various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Bai
- The Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex System, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, and School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoqing Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex System, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, and School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yuyang Li
- Institute of Intelligent Flexible Mechatronics, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Tatsuo Arai
- The Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex System, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, and School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qiang Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex System, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, and School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xiaoming Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Decision of Complex System, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems, and School of Mechatronical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
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Peng T, Lin X, Li L, Huang L, Jiang B, Jia Y. Investigation on submicron particle separation and deflection using tilted-angle standing surface acoustic wave microfluidics. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25042. [PMID: 38322952 PMCID: PMC10845702 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
With the development of in vitro diagnostics, extracting submicron scale particles from mixed body fluids samples is crucial. In recent years, microfluidic separation has attracted much attention due to its high efficiency, label-free, and inexpensive nature. Among the microfluidic-based separation, the separation based on ultrasonic standing waves has gradually become a powerful tool. A microfluid environment containing a tilted-angle ultrasonic standing surface acoustic wave (taSSAW) field has been widely adapted and designed to separate submicron particles for biochemical applications. This paper investigated submicron particle defection in microfluidics using taSSAWs analytically. Particles with 0.1-1 μm diameters were analyzed under acoustic pressure, flow rate, tilted angle, and SSAW frequency. According to different acoustic radiation forces acting on the particles, the motion of large-diameter particles was more likely to deflect to the direction of the nodal lines. Decreasing the input flow rate or increasing acoustic pressure and acoustic wave frequency can improve particle deflection. The tilted angle can be optimized by analyzing the simulation results. Based on the simulation analysis, we experimentally showed the separation of polystyrene microspheres (100 nm) from the mixed particles and exosomes (30-150 nm) from human plasma. This research results can provide a certain reference for the practical design of bioparticle separation utilizing acoustofluidic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Peng
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai, China
| | - Xiaodong Lin
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai, China
| | - Luming Li
- State Key Laboratory of High-Performance Complex Manufacturing, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Lei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of High-Performance Complex Manufacturing, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Bingyan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of High-Performance Complex Manufacturing, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China
| | - Yanwei Jia
- Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute, Zhuhai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, Institute of Microelectronics, University of Macau, Macau, China
- Faculty of Science and Technology – Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Macau, Macau, China
- MoE Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, University of Macau, Macau, China
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Cai S, Jin Y, Lin Y, He Y, Zhang P, Ge Z, Yang W. Micromixing within microfluidic devices: Fundamentals, design, and fabrication. BIOMICROFLUIDICS 2023; 17:061503. [PMID: 38098692 PMCID: PMC10718651 DOI: 10.1063/5.0178396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
As one of the hot spots in the field of microfluidic chip research, micromixers have been widely used in chemistry, biology, and medicine due to their small size, fast response time, and low reagent consumption. However, at low Reynolds numbers, the fluid motion relies mainly on the diffusive motion of molecules under laminar flow conditions. The detrimental effect of laminar flow leads to difficulties in achieving rapid and efficient mixing of fluids in microchannels. Therefore, it is necessary to enhance fluid mixing by employing some external means. In this paper, the classification and mixing principles of passive (T-type, Y-type, obstructed, serpentine, three-dimensional) and active (acoustic, electric, pressure, thermal, magnetic field) micromixers are reviewed based on the presence or absence of external forces in the micromixers, and some experiments and applications of each type of micromixer are briefly discussed. Finally, the future development trends of micromixers are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiang Cai
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Yawen Jin
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Yun Lin
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Yingzheng He
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Naval Aviation University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Peifan Zhang
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Naval Aviation University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Zhixing Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
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