Mixing in oscillating droplets induced buy electrowetting

Efficient mixing is one of the key challenges in microfluidics. Given the small size of microfluidic devices, flow patterns are usually laminar thus preventing turbulent mixing. Low Reynolds number mixing is best achieved by creating chaotic flow patterns within the fluid. In this project we use electrowetting to trigger self-excited droplet oscillations in analogy to previously studied oscillations of capillary bridges and droplets [24, 30]. These oscillations induce flow fields inside the droplets which speed up mixing by two orders of magnitude in time for a wide range of viscosities. Particle image velocimetry is used to reveal the internal flow fields within the droplets.

Dye distribution within oscillating water droplet. (drop size 1mm; time between images: ≈.5s)

More information:

contact: Rina Bakker, Adrian Staicu

related publications: [19], [24], [30]

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Home News People Publications Science Education Vacancies Sitemap Search Print version	Mixing in oscillating droplets induced buy electrowetting Efficient mixing is one of the key challenges in microfluidics. Given the small size of microfluidic devices, flow patterns are usually laminar thus preventing turbulent mixing. Low Reynolds number mixing is best achieved by creating chaotic flow patterns within the fluid. In this project we use electrowetting to trigger self-excited droplet oscillations in analogy to previously studied oscillations of capillary bridges and droplets [24, 30]. These oscillations induce flow fields inside the droplets which speed up mixing by two orders of magnitude in time for a wide range of viscosities. Particle image velocimetry is used to reveal the internal flow fields within the droplets. Dye distribution within oscillating water droplet. (drop size 1mm; time between images: ≈.5s) More information: contact: Rina Bakker, Adrian Staicu related publications: [19], [24], [30]