Observation of the induced pressure in a hybrid micro/nano-channel

This paper studies the flow characteristics in micro/nano-channels subjected to an applied electric field. The nano-channel flow was observed by means of the fluorescence Calcein. A Fluorescence Concentration Gradient Interface (FCGI) was observed across the nano-channel array. The front of the FCGI was shown to have an analogous parabolic shape. The propagation of this interface reflects indirectly the induced pressure at the micro/nano-channel junction, where the enrichment-depletion processes are known to take place. This induced pressure was predicted by numerical simulations, and this paper gives the first experimental evidence.