Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays

Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a passive particle separation method based on microfluidic technology, with its separation mechanism primarily relying on particle size differences. Therefore, the critical separation size is of great significance in the design of DLD devices. The geometri...

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Main Authors: Jiangbo Wu, Zihan Yan, Yongqing He, Jie Liu, Yao Lv
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Micromachines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/3/270
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author Jiangbo Wu
Zihan Yan
Yongqing He
Jie Liu
Yao Lv
author_facet Jiangbo Wu
Zihan Yan
Yongqing He
Jie Liu
Yao Lv
author_sort Jiangbo Wu
collection DOAJ
description Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a passive particle separation method based on microfluidic technology, with its separation mechanism primarily relying on particle size differences. Therefore, the critical separation size is of great significance in the design of DLD devices. The geometric asymmetry of the pillar array design significantly influences fluid behavior and critical particle size variations. This study first analyzed particle motion characteristics through particle trajectory observation experiments within asymmetric microfluidic chips. Subsequently, a two-dimensional numerical simulation method was employed to investigate the effects of three different ratios of lateral gap size to downstream gap size (G<sub>x</sub>:G<sub>y</sub>) on particle trajectories and flow field distribution. The results indicate that as G<sub>x</sub>:G<sub>y</sub> decreases, the upward flow rate gradually reduces, accompanied by changes in the flow field velocity distribution, causing particles to favor displacement mode. This study provides new theoretical foundations for the precise regulation of particle motion behavior and introduces novel insights for optimizing DLD device design.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2072-666X
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Micromachines
spelling doaj-art-c8d103854dc4425489f9cfc3e9dcf7242025-08-20T02:42:27ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-02-0116327010.3390/mi16030270Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD ArraysJiangbo Wu0Zihan Yan1Yongqing He2Jie Liu3Yao Lv4School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaChongqing Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano System and Intelligent Sensing, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaSchool of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, ChinaDeterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a passive particle separation method based on microfluidic technology, with its separation mechanism primarily relying on particle size differences. Therefore, the critical separation size is of great significance in the design of DLD devices. The geometric asymmetry of the pillar array design significantly influences fluid behavior and critical particle size variations. This study first analyzed particle motion characteristics through particle trajectory observation experiments within asymmetric microfluidic chips. Subsequently, a two-dimensional numerical simulation method was employed to investigate the effects of three different ratios of lateral gap size to downstream gap size (G<sub>x</sub>:G<sub>y</sub>) on particle trajectories and flow field distribution. The results indicate that as G<sub>x</sub>:G<sub>y</sub> decreases, the upward flow rate gradually reduces, accompanied by changes in the flow field velocity distribution, causing particles to favor displacement mode. This study provides new theoretical foundations for the precise regulation of particle motion behavior and introduces novel insights for optimizing DLD device design.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/3/270deterministic lateral displacementfinite element methodcritical separation sizemicro fluids
spellingShingle Jiangbo Wu
Zihan Yan
Yongqing He
Jie Liu
Yao Lv
Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
Micromachines
deterministic lateral displacement
finite element method
critical separation size
micro fluids
title Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
title_full Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
title_fullStr Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
title_full_unstemmed Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
title_short Two-Dimensional Simulation on the Critical Diameter of Particles in Asymmetric I-Shaped DLD Arrays
title_sort two dimensional simulation on the critical diameter of particles in asymmetric i shaped dld arrays
topic deterministic lateral displacement
finite element method
critical separation size
micro fluids
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/3/270
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AT zihanyan twodimensionalsimulationonthecriticaldiameterofparticlesinasymmetricishapeddldarrays
AT yongqinghe twodimensionalsimulationonthecriticaldiameterofparticlesinasymmetricishapeddldarrays
AT jieliu twodimensionalsimulationonthecriticaldiameterofparticlesinasymmetricishapeddldarrays
AT yaolv twodimensionalsimulationonthecriticaldiameterofparticlesinasymmetricishapeddldarrays