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Lattice Boltzmann method simulation of electroosmotic stirring in a microscale cavity

The suitable surface modification of microfluidic channels can enable a neutral electrolyte solution to develop an electric double layer (EDL). The ions contained within the EDL can be moved by applying an external electric field, inducing electroosmotic flows (EOFs) that results in associated stirr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Microfluidics and nanofluidics 2008-05, Vol.4 (5), p.463-470
Main Authors: De, Anindya Kanti, Mukhopadhyay, Achintya, Puri, Ishwar K.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:The suitable surface modification of microfluidic channels can enable a neutral electrolyte solution to develop an electric double layer (EDL). The ions contained within the EDL can be moved by applying an external electric field, inducing electroosmotic flows (EOFs) that results in associated stirring. This provides a solution for the rapid mixing required for many microfluidic applications. We have investigated EOFs generated by applying a steady electric field across a square cavity that has homogenous electric potentials along its walls. The flowfield is simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method. The extent of mixing is characterized for different electrode configurations and electric field strengths. We find that rapid mixing can be achieved by using this simple configuration which increases with increasing electric field strength. The mixing time for water-soluble organic molecules can be decreased by four orders of magnitude by suitable choice of wall zeta potential and electric field.
ISSN:1613-4982
1613-4990
DOI:10.1007/s10404-007-0224-x