Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling of Microfluidic Channel for Dielectrophoretic BioMEMS Application
We propose a strategy for optimizing distribution of flow in a typical benchtop microfluidic chamber for dielectrophoretic application. It is aimed at encouraging uniform flow velocity along the whole analysis chamber in order to ensure DEP force is evenly applied to biological particle. Via the stu...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2014-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/961301 |
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| Summary: | We propose a strategy for optimizing distribution of flow in a typical benchtop microfluidic
chamber for dielectrophoretic application. It is aimed at encouraging uniform flow
velocity along the whole analysis chamber in order to ensure DEP force is evenly applied
to biological particle. Via the study, we have come up with a constructive strategy in
improving the design of microfluidic channel which will greatly facilitate the use of DEP
system in laboratory and primarily focus on the relationship between architecture and
cell distribution, by resorting to the tubular structure of blood vessels. The design was
validated by hydrodynamic flow simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics v4.2a software.
Simulations show that the presence of 2-level bifurcation has developed portioning of
volumetric flow which produced uniform flow across the channel. However, further bifurcation
will reduce the volumetric flow rate, thus causing undesirable deposition of cell
suspension around the chamber. Finally, an improvement of microfluidic design with
rounded corner is proposed to encourage a uniform cell adhesion within the channel. |
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| ISSN: | 2356-6140 1537-744X |