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Toward Gradient Formation in Microfluidic Devices by using Slanted Ridges
Author(s) -
van Schijndel Twan,
Singh Mrityunjay K.,
Gillies Murray,
Kahya Nicoletta,
Kharin Aleksey,
den Toonder Jaap M. J.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
macromolecular materials and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.913
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1439-2054
pISSN - 1438-7492
DOI - 10.1002/mame.201000264
Subject(s) - microchannel , microfluidics , ridge , mixing (physics) , advection , micromixer , materials science , channel (broadcasting) , mechanics , temperature gradient , nanotechnology , geology , computer science , physics , thermodynamics , meteorology , paleontology , computer network , quantum mechanics
Some lab‐on‐a‐chip applications require to establish a controlled spatial concentration gradient of (chemical) species, for example for iso‐electrical focusing or to study chemotactic properties of cells. We show that covering a microchannel floor with special grooves or ridges, well‐controlled concentration gradients can be created, depending on the geometrical design of the grooves or ridges. In our case, the pattern consists of ridges that are slanted with respect to the main channel direction. Similar patterns have been applied in the past to achieve mixing by introducing chaotic advection. We present experimental and numerical results that prove the mixing effectiveness of the ridges. In addition, making use of the local mixing capabilities of the ridge patterns, we show, using numerical simulations, how to achieve a concentration gradient across a microfluidic channel.