Abstract
In fully-developed pressure-driven flow, the spreading of a dissolved solute is enhanced in the flow direction due to transverse velocity variations in a phenomenon now commonly referred to as Taylor–Aris dispersion. It is well understood that the characteristics of the dispersion are sensitive to the channel’s cross-sectional geometry. Here we demonstrate a method for manipulation of dispersion in a single rectangular microchannel via controlled deformation of its upper wall. Using a rapidly prototyped multi-layer microchip, the channel wall is deformed by a controlled pressure source allowing us to characterize the dependence of the dispersion on the deflection of the channel wall and overall channel aspect ratio. For a given channel aspect ratio, an optimal deformation to minimize dispersion is found, consistent with prior numerical and theoretical predictions. Our experimental measurements are also compared directly to numerical predictions using an idealized geometry.
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The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
DMH and GL gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Brown OVPR Salomon Award. JLM and AL were supported in part by NSF CAREER Grant DMS-1352353 (2014–2020) and NSF Applied Math Grant DMS-1909035 (2019–Present). Furthermore, GL and DMH would like to acknowledge A. Taylor for support and guidance with the craft-cutter technique, K. Dalnoki-Veress for advice on membrane selection, and K. Breuer for use of his inverted microscope in preliminary experiments.
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Lee, G., Luner, A., Marzuola, J. et al. Dispersion control in pressure-driven flow through bowed rectangular microchannels. Microfluid Nanofluid 25, 34 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-021-02436-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-021-02436-9