Investigation of Capillary Filling Dynamics of Multicomponent Fluids in Straight and Periodically Constricted Microchannels

Capillary Filling in Open Rectangular Microchannels with a Spatially Varying Contact Angle

Capillary flow in microchannels is important for many technologies, such as microfluidic devices, heat exchangers, and fabrication of printed electronics. Due to a readily accessible interior, open rectangular microchannels are particularly attractive for these applications. Here, we develop modifications of the Lucas-Washburn model to explore how a spatially varying contact angle influences capillary flow in open rectangular microchannels. Four cases are considered: (i) different uniform contact angles on channel sidewalls and channel bottom, (ii) contact angles varying along the channel cross section, (iii) contact angle varying monotonically along the channel length, and (iv) contact angle varying periodically along the channel length. For case (i), it is found that the maximum filling velocity is more sensitive to changes in the wall contact angle. For case (ii), the contact angles can be averaged to transform the problem into that of case (i). For case (iii), the time evolution of the meniscus position no longer follows the simple square-root law at short times. Finally, for case (iv), the problem is well described by using a uniform contact angle that is a suitable average. These results provide insights into how to design contact-angle variations to control capillary filling and into the influence of naturally occurring contact-angle variations on capillary flow.

Electric field and viscous fluid polarity effects on capillary-driven flow dynamics between parallel plates

-Micropumps have attracted considerable interest in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), microfluidic devices, and biomedical engineering to transfer fluids through capillaries. However, improving the sluggish capillary-driven flow of highly viscous fluids is critical for commercializing MEMS devices, particularly in underfill applications. This study investigated the behavior of different viscous fluid flows under the influence of capillary and electric potential effects. We observed that upon increasing the electric potential to 500 V, the underfill flow length of viscous fluids increased by 45% compared to their capillary flow length. To explore the dynamics of underfill flow under the influence of an electric potential, the polarity of highly viscous fluids was altered by adding NaCl. The results indicated an increase of 20-41% in the underfill flow length of highly viscous conductive fluids (0.5-4% NaCl additives in glycerol) at 500 V compared to that at 0 V. The underfill viscous fluid flow length improved under the electric potential effect owing to the polarity across the substance and increased permittivity of the fluid. A time-dependent simulation, which included a quasi-electrostatic module, level set module, and laminar two-phase flow, was executed using the COMSOL Multiphysics software to analyze the effect of the external electric field on the capillary-driven flow. The numerical simulation results agreed well with the experimental data, with an average deviation of 4-7% at various time steps for different viscous fluids. Our findings demonstrate the potential of utilizing electric fields to control the capillary-driven flow of highly viscous fluids in underfill applications.

Emergence of debubblers in microfluidics: A critical review

Bubbles in microfluidics-even those that appear to be negligibly small-are pervasive and responsible for the failure of many biological and chemical experiments. For instance, they block current conduction, damage cell membranes, and interfere with detection results. To overcome this unavoidable and intractable problem, researchers have developed various methods for capturing and removing bubbles from microfluidics. Such methods are multifarious and their working principles are very different from each other. In this review, bubble-removing methods are divided into two broad categories: active debubblers (that require external auxiliary equipment) and passive debubblers (driven by natural processes). In each category, three main types of methods are discussed along with their advantages and disadvantages. Among the active debubblers, those assisted by lasers, acoustic generators, and negative pressure pumps are discussed. Among the passive debubblers, those driven by buoyancy, the characteristics of gas-liquid interfaces, and the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of materials are discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects of the bubble-removal technologies are reviewed to refer researchers to microfluidics and inspire further investigations in this field.

Microfluidic Platform for Characterization of Crude Oil Emulsion Stability

Microfluidic technology has gained significant scientific interest in the characterization of crude oil emulsions that are often formed in the process of oil production. Microfluidic platforms can be used to mimic the pores of natural rock and study multiphase displacement, as well as emulsion formation at a microscale level. This mini-Review focuses on the applications of microfluidics to probe the stability of emulsified droplets against coalescence (e.g., in the presence of additives, electric field, etc.) for both water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion systems. Additionally, this study summarizes the recent efforts made to identify the effects of various experimental factors, including crude oil composition, aging, salinity, and pH on the interfacial properties of water/oil interface and their ultimate roles in the formation/stability of emulsions. Finally, main findings and some recommendations for future work related to the potential of microfluidics in different aspects of crude oil emulsion studies are discussed.

Experimental, Theoretical, and Numerical Investigation of the Electric Field and Surface Wettability Effects on the Penetration Length in Capillary Flow

This study addressed the dynamics of capillary-driven flow for different surface wettabilities by concentrating on the influence of electric potential. The capillary flow dynamics were investigated by varying the wettability (plasma-treated, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and superhydrophilic) of a capillary surface, and the applied electric potential to the liquid ranged from 0 to 500 V. When an electric potential was applied to the liquid, the fluid flow penetration length increased by 30-50% due to the electrohydrodynamic (EHD)-driven flow by the Maxwell (electric) pressure gradient effect. The results showed that the EHD effect enhanced the fluid penetration through narrow gaps. The maximum fluid penetration was attained for every surface at 500 V, particularly for the superhydrophilic surface, which exhibited the highest value. The combined effect of the electric field and wettability resulted in an enhanced fluid penetration speed, reducing the underfill time. In addition, theoretical and numerical models were developed for comparison with the experimental results. The proposed models reinforce the observed fluid flow phenomenon on various surfaces under the influence of an electric field. These findings can provide alternative strategies for controlling the dynamic features of capillary imbibition by introducing an electric field and wettability effects, which has practical implications in flip-chip packaging, microfluidic devices, and the manipulation of biocells.