Pio Iovenitti

Numerical investigation of mixing in microchannels with patterned grooves

Mixing in microchannels with patterned grooves was studied numerically by CFD simulations and particle tracking technique. Point location, velocity interpolation and a fourth-order adaptive Runge–Kutta integration scheme were applied in the particle tracking algorithms. Using these algorithms, Poincare maps were calculated from the 3D velocity field exported from a CFD package for microfluidics (MemCFD™). For small aspect ratio (α = 0.05) grooves, the results showed that there was no significant irregularity in the Poincare map, and indicated little chaotic effect. For high aspect ratio (α = 0.30) grooves, the flow pattern became more jumbled, but there was no apparent evidence that indicated the flow was chaotic, for Reynolds numbers up to five. However, Poincare maps could still be used to evaluate the performance of this type of micro-mixer. The particle trajectories recorded in the Poincare maps were circular-like patterns. By counting the number of dots to form one circle in the Poincare maps, the length of the channel to enable one recirculation could be calculated. The results indicated that this length had an exponential relation to the aspect ratio of grooves, and it was independent of the flow velocity. The CFD simulation showed that the transverse motion could fold and stretch fluids to increase their interfacial area. The results showed that micro-mixers with patterned grooves caused rotation of the fluid streams. This rotation can reorient the folding in the depth direction, and can enhance passive mixing in microfluidic devices with shallow channels.

A generic algorithm for a best part orientation system for complex parts in rapid prototyping

Abstract This paper presents a generic mathematical algorithm to determine the best part orientation for building a part in a layer-by-layer rapid prototyping (RP) system. The algorithm works on the principle of computing the volumetric error (VE) in a part at different orientations and then determining the best orientation based on the minimum VE in the part. The algorithm is shown to work for a part of any shape and complexity, with any slice thickness, and for the orientation of a part about any selected axis. The part orientation system based on this algorithm graphically displays the VE at different part orientations and recommends the best part orientation. The system will help RP users in creating RP parts with a higher level of accuracy and surface finish.

A volumetric approach to part-build orientations in rapid prototyping

Abstract This paper presents the development of a part-build orientation system for rapid prototyping by considering the volumetric error (VE) encountered in parts during the building process. The methodology involves a primitive volume approach, which assumes a complex part to be constructed from a combination of basic primitive volumes. First, the VE in a number of primitive volumes such as cylinders, cubes, hemispheres, cones and pyramids is considered. Then, the VE in parts made from a combination of these primitives is determined. The system graphically displays the VE at different orientation of any part and recommends the best orientation for the minimum VE in the whole part. This paper will illustrate the methodology by considering the case of the orientation problem of a cone and the parts made from different primitives.

Application of fused deposition modeling rapid prototyping system to the development of microchannels

Conventional methods of producing micro-scale components for BioMEMS applications such as microfluidic devices are limited to relatively simple geometries and are inefficient for prototype production. Rapid prototyping techniques may be applied to overcome these limitations. Fused Deposition Modelling is one such rapid prototyping process, which can build parts using layer by layer deposition technique with layers as low as 0.178 mm thick and using a select group of thermoplastic building materials. This paper presents the potential of Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) system, available at IRIS, in building prototypes of scaled microchannels for experimental study and verification of fluid flow in microfluidic devices. The scope and application of FDM system as a powerful and flexible rapid prototyping device is described. Microchannels of different geometries are produced in ABS material on the FDM3000 rapid prototyping system and a methodology is presented for experimental study of the mixing of fluids in microchannels in conjunction with the theoretical analysis using FlumeCAD system.

Passive mixing in microchannels by applying geometric variations

Passive mixing by applying geometric variations were studied in this research. In respect to the nature of laminar flow in a microchannel, the geometric variations were designed to try to improve the lateral convection. By doing this, the dispersion of solute was not only contributed by diffusion, but also, and more importantly, the convection in the lateral direction. Geometric parameters versus the mixing performance were investigated systematically in T-type channels, by applying a known computational fluidic dynamic (CFD) solver for microfluidics. Various obstacle shapes, sizes and layouts were studied. As the ratio of the height to obstacles to the depth of channel became negative, it was the special case that obstacles became grooves. The mechanism for obstacles to enhance mixing was to create convective effects. However, the asymmetric arrangement of grooves applied a different mechanism to enhance mixing by create helical shaped recirculation of fluids. The stretching and folding of fluids of this mixing mechanism provided a efficient way to reduce the diffusion path in microchannels. The mixing performance of mixers with obstacles were evaluated by mass fraction, and mixers with grooved surfaces were evaluated by particle tracing techniques. The results illustrated that both of the strategies provided potential solutions to microfluidic mixing.

High sensitivity capacitive MEMS microphone with spring supported diaphragm

Capacitive microphones (condenser microphones) work on a principle of variable capacitance and voltage by the movement of its electrically charged diaphragm and back plate in response to sound pressure. There has been considerable research carried out to increase the sensing performance of microphones while reducing their size to cater for various modern applications such as mobile communication and hearing aid devices. This paper reviews the development and current performance of several condenser MEMS microphone designs, and introduces a microphone with spring supported diaphragm to further improve condenser microphone performance. The numerical analysis using Coventor FEM software shows that this new microphone design has a higher mechanical sensitivity compared to the existing edge clamped flat diaphragm condenser MEMS microphone. The spring supported diaphragm is shown to have a flat frequency response up to 7 kHz and more stable under the variations of the diaphragm residual stress. The microphone is designed to be easily fabricated using the existing silicon fabrication technology and the stability against the residual stress increases its reproducibility.

Three‐dimensional measurement using a single image

The instant invention relates to high surface area multilayered oxide supports coated with ruthenium of the type Ru-MgO-MgAl2O4-MgAl2O4+Mg2SiO4-Core. The system comprises ruthenium on a critical amount of free MgO, i.e., at least 2 wt. % minimum, on pre-reacted Al2O3 which itself is on a monolithic ceramic substrate. This combination demonstrates the desirable, and previously unachievable characteristic of resistance to ruthenium volatilization and agglomeration, coupled with high catalytic activity. The high surface area oxides (MgO+Al2O3) are strongly bonded to and reacted with the monolithic core substructure so as to possess physical strength. Ruthenium catalyst systems prepared utilizing the supported support (multilayered mixed oxides) method disclosed by the instant invention are useful for the treatment of waste gases, particularly exhaust gases from internal combustion engines and stationary sources and the removal of oxides of nitrogen therefrom.

Fabrication, measurement and modeling of electroosmotic flow in micromachined polymer microchannels

Electroosmotic pumping in the microchannels fabricated in polycarbonate (PC), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and SU-8 polymer substrates was investigated and species transportation was modeled, in an attempt to show the suitability of low cost polymer materials for the development of disposable microfluidic devices. Microchannels and the fluid reservoirs were fabricated using excimer laser ablation and hot embossing techniques. Typical dimensions of the microchannels were 60μm (width) x 50μm (depth) x 45mm (length). Species transportation in the microchannels under electroosmosis was modeled by finite element method (FEM) with the help of NetFlow module of the CoventorWareTM computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package. In particular, electroosmosis and electrophoresis in a crossed microfluidic channel was modeled to calculate the percentage species mass transportation when the concentration shape of the Gaussian input species plug and the location of the injection point are varied. Change in the concentration shape of the initial species plug while it is electroosmotically transported along the crossed fluidic channel was visualized. Results indicated that Excimer laser ablated PC and PET devices have electroosmotic mobility in the range 2 to 5 x10-4 cm2/V.s, zeta potential 30 to 70 mV and flow rates of the order of 1 to 3 nL/s under an electric field of 200 V/cm. With the electroosmotic mobility value of PC the simulation results show that a crossed fluidic channel is electroosmotically pumping about 91% of the species mass injected along one of its straight channels.

Automated generation of NC part programs for excimer laser ablation micromachining from known 3D surfaces

The purpose of this research project is to improve the capability of the laser micromachinning process, so that any desired 3D surface can be produced by taking the 3D information from a CAD system and automatically generating the NC part programs. In addition, surface quality should be able to be controlled by specifying optimised parameters. This paper presents the algorithms and a software system, which processes 3D geometry in an STL file format from a CAD system and produces the NC part program to mill the surface using the Excimer laser ablation process. Simple structures are used to demonstrate the prototype systems part programming capabilities, and an actual surface is machined.

Mixing of liquids using obstacles in microchannels

In general, the Reynolds number is low in microfluidic channels. This means that the viscous force plays a dominant role. As a result, the flow is most likely to be laminar under normal conditions, especially for liquids. Therefore, diffusion, rather than turbulence affects the mixing. In this work, the commercial computational fluid dynamics tool for microfluidics, known as FlumeCAD, is used to study the mixing of two liquids in a Y channel and the results are presented. To improve mixing, obstacles have been placed in the channel to try to disrupt flow and reduce the lamella width. Ideally, properly designed geometric parameters, such as layout and number of obstacles, improve the mixing performance without sacrificing the pressure drop too much. In addition, various liquid properties, such as viscosity, diffusion constant, are also evaluated for their effect on mixing. The results indicate that layout of the obstacle has more effect on the mixing than the number of the obstacles. Placing obstacles or textures in the microchannels is a novel method for mixing in microfluidic devices, and the results can provide useful information in the design of these devices.