Evaluation of Hydrodynamic and Thermal Behaviour of Non-Newtonian-Nanofluid Mixing in a Chaotic Micromixer

Microfluidic Mixing: A Physics-Oriented Review

This comprehensive review paper focuses on the intricate physics of microfluidics and their application in micromixing techniques. Various methods for enhancing mixing in microchannels are explored, with a keen emphasis on the underlying fluid dynamics principles. Geometrical micromixers employ complex channel designs to induce fluid-fluid interface distortions, yielding efficient mixing while retaining manufacturing simplicity. These methods synergize effectively with external techniques, showcasing promising potential. Electrohydrodynamics harnesses electrokinetic phenomena like electroosmosis, electrophoresis, and electrothermal effects. These methods offer dynamic control over mixing parameters via applied voltage, frequency, and electrode positioning, although power consumption and heating can be drawbacks. Acoustofluidics leverages acoustic waves to drive microstreaming, offering localized yet far-reaching effects. Magnetohydrodynamics, though limited in applicability to certain fluids, showcases potential by utilizing magnetic fields to propel mixing. Selecting an approach hinges on trade-offs among complexity, efficiency, and compatibility with fluid properties. Understanding the physics of fluid behavior and rationalizing these techniques aids in tailoring the most suitable micromixing solution. In a rapidly advancing field, this paper provides a consolidated understanding of these techniques, facilitating the informed choice of approach for specific microfluidic mixing needs.

A study of pressure-driven flow in a vertical duct near two current-carrying wires using finite volume technique

For heating, ventilation or air conditioning purposes in massive multistory building constructions, ducts are a common choice for air supply, return, or exhaust. Rapid population expansion, particularly in industrially concentrated areas, has given rise to a tradition of erecting high-rise buildings in which contaminated air is removed by making use of vertical ducts. For satisfying the enormous energy requirements of such structures, high voltage wires are used which are typically positioned near the ventilation ducts. This leads to a consequent motivation of studying the interaction of magnetic field (MF) around such wires with the flow in a duct, caused by vacuum pump or exhaust fan etc. Therefore, the objective of this work is to better understand how the established (thermally and hydrodynamically) movement in a perpendicular square duct interacts with the MF formed by neighboring current-carrying wires. A constant pressure gradient drives the flow under the condition of uniform heat flux across the unit axial length, with a fixed temperature on the duct periphery. After incorporating the flow assumptions and dimensionless variables, the governing equations are numerically solved by incorporating a finite volume approach. As an exclusive finding of the study, we have noted that MF caused by the wires tends to balance the flow reversal due to high Raleigh number. The MF, in this sense, acts as a balancing agent for the buoyancy effects, in the laminar flow regime.

Editorial for the Special Issue on Analysis, Design and Fabrication of Micromixers II

Micromixers are important components of lab-on-a-chip systems, and also have many biological and chemical applications [...].