Tube Oscillation Drives Transitory Vortices Across Microfluidic Barriers.

Peter Thurgood; Adam Hawke; Lee Sheer Low; Aimee Borg; Karlheinz Peter; Sara Baratchi; Khashayar Khoshmanesh
Abstract
Here, the generation of dynamic vortices across microscale barriers using the tube oscillation mechanism is demonstrated. Using a combination of high-speed imaging and computational flow dynamics, the cyclic formation, expansion, and collapse of vortices are studied. The dynamics of vortices across circular , triangular, and blade-shape barriers are investigated at different tube oscillation frequencies. The formation of an array of synchronous vortices across parallel blade-shaped barriers is demonstrated. The transient flows caused by these dynamic vortex arrays are harnessed for the rapid and efficient mixing of blood samples . A circular barrier scribed with a narrow orifice on its shoulder is used to facilitate the injection of liquid into the microfluidic channel, and its rapid mixing with the main flow through the dynamic vortices generated across the barrier. This approach facilitates the generation of vortices with desirable configurations, sizes, and dynamics in a highly controllable, programmable, and predictable manner while operating at low static flow rates.
Journal SMALL METHODS
ISSN 2366-9608
Published 31 Dec 2023
Volume
Issue
Pages e2301427 e2301427
DOI 10.1002/smtd.202301427
Type Journal Article
Sponsorship ARC: LP190100728