Influence of outlet channel width to the flow velocity and pressure of a flow focusing microfluidic device

International Engineering Research and Innovation Symposium

Soon, Chin Fhong^1,2 ; Yin, Yap Hiung^2 ; Tee, Kian Sek^2 ; Ahmad, Mohd Khairul^1,2 ; Sahdan, Mohd Zainizan^1 ; Nayan, Nafarizal^2

Biosensor and Bioengineering Laboratory, MiNT-SRC, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Johor, Batu Pahat

86400, Malaysia^1

Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Parit Raja, Johor, Batu Pahat

86400, Malaysia^2

关键词: Comsol multiphysics;    Fabrication technique;    Immiscible fluids;    Inlet channels;    Leakage problems;    Micro-fluidic devices;    Microcapsules;    Outlet channels;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1757-899X/160/1/012086/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1757-899X/160/1/012086

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

Microencapsulation using flow focusing microfluidic devices attract great interest because of the simple fabrication technique using polymeric material. Simulation of the microfluidic device provides the advantage of reducing the waste of material before actual implementation of the fabrication. This paper reports the design of a flow focusing microfluidic device based on emulsification of two immiscible fluids. The system was build and simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics software by varying the outlet width in examining the effects of the flow and pressure at the outlet. The simulation results reveal that both the flow rate and the pressure decreased dramatically when the ratio of outlet channel to inlet channel (R) is greater than 2. The width of the outlet is critical in ensuring the flow of microcapsules without accumulation of microcapsules at the output pool due to the poor flow rate at the outlet channel and avoidance of leakage problem. The recommended R to achieve the objective of microencapsulation is between 2 and 4.