Mixing enhancement by simple periodic geometric features in microchannels

Mixing is crucial yet challenging work in the laminar, low Reynolds number microfluidic devices. In this paper, a microchannel comprising a mixing unit embedded with geometric features is designed to enhance the mixing. Instead of complex spatial geometries and sample strategies, simple periodic geometric features are applied to decrease the required mixing distances. In computer simulations and experiments, geometric features in the mixing unit increase periodically and good mixing occurs after a 28-period mixing unit.

► A novel micromixer comprising periodic mixing unit was designed. ► The period of the mixing unit is investigated by computer simulation. ► A statistical method was used to get the relationship between MP and period. ► The efficiency of the micromixer was demonstrated by simulation and experiment.