Mixing enhancement by the vortex in a microfluidic mixer with actuation

• Mixing enhancement occurs for both DI water and glycerol solution in a new microfluidic mixer with actuation.
• Mixing enhancement is highly related to the asymmetric vortex in the chamber.
• Mixing efficiency increases with applied driving voltage.
• Streamlines in simulation is in accordance with experimental results.

This paper presents the experimental study on the flow field and mixing enhancement in a novel micromixer with actuation. Its demonstrated that asymmetric vortex can be generated in the mixer and enhance the mixing performance greatly. The details of the vortex are displayed clearly by tracing the fluorescent dye. The strength of the vortex can be controlled by adjusting the applied voltage. The numerical simulation by Ansys Fluent shows that the streamlines under actuation is in accordance with experimental results. The large-scale vortex generated under actuation can be applied for flow control and operation as well as mixing enhancement in microfluidics.