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Focusing-enhanced mixing in microfluidic channels |
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| Authors: | Zhiyi Zhang Ping Zhao Gaozhi Xiao Min Lin and Xudong Cao |
| Institution: | Institute for Microstructural Science, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada;Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa, Ontario K2H 8P9, Canada;Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada |
| Abstract: | A focusing-based microfluidic mixer was studied. The micromixer utilizes the focusing process required for cytometry to reduce the diffusion distance of molecules to be mixed in order to facilitate the passive diffusion-controlled mixing process. It was found that both the high flow rate ratio of the sheath flow to the flows to be mixed and the low flow rate of the mixing fluids resulted in the short mixing length required within the microfluidic channel. It was shown that a complete mixing was achieved within a distance of 4 mm in the micromixer for the focused mixing fluids at a flow rate of 2 μl∕min and a flow rate ratio of the sheath flow to the flows to be mixed at 4:1. The mixer described here is simple and can be easily fabricated and controlled. |
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