Micromixers: Analysis, Design and Fabrication

A topical collection in Micromachines (ISSN 2072-666X).

Viewed by 10150

Editor

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
Interests: micromixer; micro heat sink; fluid machinery; optimization; heat transfer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Topical Collection Information

Dear Colleagues,

Micromixers are an important component in micro-total analysis systems (μTAS) and lab-on-a-chip platforms which are widely used for sample preparation and analysis, drug delivery, and biological and chemical synthesis. The successful operation of microfluidic devices requires fast and adequate mixing, but mixing is a challenging task due to the laminar feature of flow at the microscale. Mixing in laminar flows relies on diffusion and requires a longer channel to achieve complete mixing due to the slow process compared with that in turbulent flows. Hence, it is crucial to overcome this challenge to improve the mixing performance. Based on their mixing mechanism, micromixers are classified into two types: active and passive. Passive micromixers are easy to fabricate and generally use geometry modification to cause chaotic advection or lamination to promote the mixing of fluid samples, unlike active micromixers, which use moving parts or some external agitation/energy for the mixing. This collection will highlight recent developments within new mechanisms, numerical and/or experimental mixing analysis, design, and fabrication of various micromixers. 

Prof. Dr. Kwang-Yong Kim
Collection Editor

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Keywords

  • micromixer
  • mixing
  • microfluidic device
  • analysis
  • design
  • fabrication

Published Papers (8 papers)

2024

Jump to: 2023, 2022

19 pages, 14362 KiB  
Article
Mixing Performance Analysis and Optimal Design of a Novel Passive Baffle Micromixer
by Yiwen Zheng, Yu Liu, Chaojun Tang, Bo Liu, Hongyuan Zou, Wei Li and Hongpeng Zhang
Micromachines 2024, 15(2), 182; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15020182 - 26 Jan 2024
Viewed by 691
Abstract
Micromixers, as crucial components of microfluidic devices, find widespread applications in the field of biochemistry. Due to the laminar flow in microchannels, mixing is challenging, and it significantly impacts the efficiency of rapid reactions. In this study, numerical simulations of four baffle micromixer [...] Read more.
Micromixers, as crucial components of microfluidic devices, find widespread applications in the field of biochemistry. Due to the laminar flow in microchannels, mixing is challenging, and it significantly impacts the efficiency of rapid reactions. In this study, numerical simulations of four baffle micromixer structures were carried out at different Reynolds numbers (Re = 0.1, Re = 1, Re = 10, and Re = 100) in order to investigate the flow characteristics and mixing mechanism under different structures and optimize the micromixer by varying the vertical displacement of the baffle, the rotation angle, the horizontal spacing, and the number of baffle, and by taking into account the mixing intensity and pressure drop. The results indicated that the optimal mixing efficiency was achieved when the baffle’s vertical displacement was 90 μm, the baffle angle was 60°, the horizontal spacing was 130 μm, and there were 20 sets of baffles. At Re = 0.1, the mixing efficiency reached 99.4%, and, as Re increased, the mixing efficiency showed a trend of, first, decreasing and then increasing. At Re = 100, the mixing efficiency was 97.2%. Through simulation analysis of the mixing process, the structure of the baffle-type micromixer was effectively improved, contributing to enhanced fluid mixing efficiency and reaction speed. Full article
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2023

Jump to: 2024, 2022

11 pages, 2938 KiB  
Article
A Novel Micromixer That Exploits Electrokinetic Vortices Generated on a Janus Droplet Surface
by Chengfa Wang and Yehui He
Micromachines 2024, 15(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15010091 - 31 Dec 2023
Viewed by 906
Abstract
Micromixers play a crucial role as essential components in microfluidic analysis systems. This paper introduces a novel micromixer designed by harnessing electrokinetic vortices arising on the surface of a Janus droplet within a microchannel. The Janus droplet is characterized by different polarities of [...] Read more.
Micromixers play a crucial role as essential components in microfluidic analysis systems. This paper introduces a novel micromixer designed by harnessing electrokinetic vortices arising on the surface of a Janus droplet within a microchannel. The Janus droplet is characterized by different polarities of charges on its two sides (upstream part and downstream part). In the presence of a direct current electric field, the droplet’s surface generates electroosmotic flows in opposite directions, resulting in the formation of vortices and facilitating solution mixing. Results from numerical simulations suggest that a better mixing performance of the micromixer is associated with both a higher absolute value of the zeta potential ratio between the downstream and upstream surfaces of the Janus droplet and a larger downstream surface area. Additionally, this study reveals that microchannel dimensions significantly influence the performance of the micromixer. Smaller microchannel widths and heights correspond to a larger mixing index for the micromixer. The micromixer presented in this study features a simple structure, easy fabrication, and holds promising application potential. Full article
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11 pages, 1760 KiB  
Article
Design Optimization Method for Large-Size Sidewall-Driven Micromixer to Generate Powerful Swirling Flow
by Daichi Yamamoto and Toshio Takayama
Micromachines 2023, 14(12), 2246; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14122246 - 16 Dec 2023
Viewed by 682
Abstract
Microfluidic devices, which miniaturize cell culture and chemical experiments from lab-scale to microchip dimensions, have gained significant attention in recent years. Extensive research has been conducted on microfluidic mixers, which facilitate the mixing and agitation of chemicals. The “Sidewall-Driven Micromixer” that we are [...] Read more.
Microfluidic devices, which miniaturize cell culture and chemical experiments from lab-scale to microchip dimensions, have gained significant attention in recent years. Extensive research has been conducted on microfluidic mixers, which facilitate the mixing and agitation of chemicals. The “Sidewall-Driven Micromixer” that we are currently developing employs a unique mechanism; it induces a swirling flow within the main chamber by vibrating the silicone wall situated between the main and driving chambers using pressure fluctuations. In an earlier study, we found that Sidewall-Driven Micromixers of a size suitable for small cells could indeed produce this swirling flow. Furthermore, we successfully established concentration gradients within each mixer. However, when attempting to upscale the mixer while maintaining conventional proportions to accommodate larger cell aggregates such as spheroids, the desired swirling flow was not achieved. To address this challenge, we made adjustments to the wall dimensions, aiming to amplify wall deformation and thereby enhance the mixer’s driving force. Concurrently, we modified the mixer’s shape to ensure that the increased wall deformation would not hinder the fluid flow. These alterations not only improved the mixer’s performance but also provided valuable insights for positioning the mixer’s neck channel, considering the extent of wall deformation. Full article
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12 pages, 7742 KiB  
Article
Topology-Optimized Micromixer Design with Enhanced Reverse Flow to Increase Mixing Efficiency
by Qiang Fu, Zenghao Liu, Shuaiqi Cao, Zhe Wang and Guojun Liu
Micromachines 2023, 14(8), 1599; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14081599 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 784
Abstract
In this work, a serpentine mixing unit model based on topology optimization is proposed to enhance the reverse flow in both horizontal and vertical directions. The increase in reverse flow in both directions can enhance the chaotic advection phenomenon, leading to a rapid [...] Read more.
In this work, a serpentine mixing unit model based on topology optimization is proposed to enhance the reverse flow in both horizontal and vertical directions. The increase in reverse flow in both directions can enhance the chaotic advection phenomenon, leading to a rapid increase in the mixing index. The proposed mixing unit model is applied in a T-shaped micromixer to create a new micromixer design, named TOD. Numerical simulations of TOD are performed using Comsol Multiphysics software to analyze the characteristics of the liquid flow, mixing surface, and pressure drop. The simulation results confirm that TOD has an outstanding mixing performance. By widening the surface area of contact and enhancing the chaotic advection phenomenon, TOD shows an excellent mixing performance at both a high and low Reynolds number, making it a promising micromixer design. For Re > 5, the mixing indexes of TOD are all beyond 90%. Full article
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13 pages, 3514 KiB  
Article
A Flexible Kenics Mixer for Applications in Liquid Chromatography
by Prachet Dsk, Petru S. Fodor and Chandrasekhar R. Kothapalli
Micromachines 2023, 14(7), 1373; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14071373 - 04 Jul 2023
Viewed by 1035
Abstract
Miniaturization of liquid chromatography could help enhance sensitivity, reduce solvent usage, and detect small quantities of peptides. However, it demands better sample homogenization of the mobile phase. We here developed a mixer design based on the inline Kenics geometry, consisting of a periodic [...] Read more.
Miniaturization of liquid chromatography could help enhance sensitivity, reduce solvent usage, and detect small quantities of peptides. However, it demands better sample homogenization of the mobile phase. We here developed a mixer design based on the inline Kenics geometry, consisting of a periodic arrangement of twisted blades placed inside a cylindrical capillary that repeatedly cut and stack fluid elements to achieve rapid mixing in laminar flow regimes. The mixer design was optimized with respect to the twist angle and aspect ratio of the mixing units to achieve complete mixing at minimum pressure load cost. Results suggest that for optimal designs, for a mixer volume of ~70 μL, complete mixing is achieved within a distance smaller than 4 cm for a broad set of flow rate conditions ranging from 75 μL·min−1 to 7.5 mL·min−1. A salient feature that we introduce and test for the first time is the physical flexibility of the cylindrical capillary. The performance of the design remained robust when the mixing section was not rigid and bent in different topologies, as well as when changing the chemical composition of the mobile phase used. Full article
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19 pages, 6835 KiB  
Article
A Modified-Herringbone Micromixer for Assessing Zebrafish Sperm (MAGS)
by Jorge A. Belgodere, Mustafa Alam, Valentino E. Browning, Jason Eades, Jack North, Julie A. Armand, Yue Liu, Terrence R. Tiersch and W. Todd Monroe
Micromachines 2023, 14(7), 1310; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi14071310 - 26 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1248
Abstract
Sperm motility analysis of aquatic model species is important yet challenging due to the small sample volume, the necessity to activate with water, and the short duration of motility. To achieve standardization of sperm activation, microfluidic mixers have shown improved reproducibility over activation [...] Read more.
Sperm motility analysis of aquatic model species is important yet challenging due to the small sample volume, the necessity to activate with water, and the short duration of motility. To achieve standardization of sperm activation, microfluidic mixers have shown improved reproducibility over activation by hand, but challenges remain in optimizing and simplifying the use of these microdevices for greater adoption. The device described herein incorporates a novel micromixer geometry that aligns two sperm inlet streams with modified herringbone structures that split and recombine the sample at a 1:6 dilution with water to achieve rapid and consistent initiation of motility. The polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) chip can be operated in a positive or negative pressure configuration, allowing a simple micropipettor to draw samples into the chip and rapidly stop the flow. The device was optimized to not only activate zebrafish sperm but also enables practical use with standard computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems. The micromixer geometry could be modified for other aquatic species with differing cell sizes and adopted for an open hardware approach using 3D resin printing where users could revise, fabricate, and share designs to improve standardization and reproducibility across laboratories and repositories. Full article
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2022

Jump to: 2024, 2023

11 pages, 3965 KiB  
Article
Serpentine Micromixers Using Extensional Mixing Elements
by George Tomaras, Chandrasekhar R. Kothapalli and Petru S. Fodor
Micromachines 2022, 13(10), 1785; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13101785 - 20 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1668
Abstract
Computational fluid dynamics modeling was used to characterize the effect of the integration of constrictions defined by the vertices of hyperbolas on the flow structure in microfluidic serpentine channels. In the new topology, the Dean flows characteristic of the pressure-driven fluid motion along [...] Read more.
Computational fluid dynamics modeling was used to characterize the effect of the integration of constrictions defined by the vertices of hyperbolas on the flow structure in microfluidic serpentine channels. In the new topology, the Dean flows characteristic of the pressure-driven fluid motion along curved channels are combined with elongational flows and asymmetric longitudinal eddies that develop in the constriction region. The resulting complex flow structure is characterized by folding and stretching of the fluid volumes, which can promote enhanced mixing. Optimization of the geometrical parameters defining the constriction region allows for the development of an efficient micromixer topology that shows robust enhanced performance across a broad range of Reynolds numbers from Re = 1 to 100. Full article
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14 pages, 9912 KiB  
Article
Kinematic Properties of a Twisted Double Planetary Chaotic Mixer: A Three-Dimensional Numerical Investigation
by Telha Mostefa, Aissaoui Djamel Eddine, Naas Toufik Tayeb, Shakhawat Hossain, Arifur Rahman, Bachiri Mohamed and Kwang-Yong Kim
Micromachines 2022, 13(9), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi13091545 - 17 Sep 2022
Viewed by 1790
Abstract
In this study, a numerical investigation based on the CFD method is carried out to study the unsteady laminar flow of Newtonian fluid with a high viscosity in a three-dimensional simulation of a twisted double planetary mixer, which is composed of two agitating [...] Read more.
In this study, a numerical investigation based on the CFD method is carried out to study the unsteady laminar flow of Newtonian fluid with a high viscosity in a three-dimensional simulation of a twisted double planetary mixer, which is composed of two agitating rods inside a moving tank. The considered stirring protocol is a “Continuous sine squared motion” by using the dynamic mesh model and user-defined functions (UDFs)to define the velocity profiles. The chaotic advection is obtained in our active mixers by the temporal modulation of rotational velocities of the moving walls in order to enhance the mixing of the fluid for a low Reynolds number and a high Peclet number. For this goal, we applied the Poincaré section and Lyapunov exponent as reliable mathematic tools for checking mixing quality by tracking a number of massless particles inside the fluid domain. Additionally, we investigated the development of fluid kinematics proprieties, such as vorticity, helicity, strain rate and elongation rate, at various time periods in order to view the impact of temporal modulation on the flow properties. The results of the mentioned simulation showed that it is possible to obtain a chaotic advection after a relatively short time, which can deeply enhance mixing fluid efficiency. Full article
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