Development of a microfluidic device for simultaneous mixing and pumping

Abstract

We conducted experimental and numerical studies aimed at developing a microfluidic device capable of simultaneous mixing while pumping. The proposed multifunctional device makes use of alternating current electroosmotic flow and adopts an array of planar asymmetric microelectrodes with a diagonal or herringbone shape. The pumping performance was assessed in terms of the fluid velocity at the center of the microchannel, obtained by micro PIV. To assess the mixing, flow visualizations were carried out over the electrodes to verify the lateral flows. The mixing degree was quantified in terms of a mixing efficiency obtained by three-dimensional numerical simulations. The results showed that simultaneous mixing and pumping was achieved in the channels with diagonal or herringbone electrode configurations. A herringbone electrode configuration showed better pumping compared with a reference, as well as enhanced mixing.