Estimation of the zeta potential and the dielectric constant using velocity measurements in the electroosmotic flows

In this paper we develop a method for the determination of the zeta potential ζ and the dielectric constant ε by exploiting velocity measurements of the electroosmotic flow in microchannels. The inverse problem is solved through the minimization of a performance function utilizing the conjugate gradient method. The present method is found to estimate ζ and ε with reasonable accuracy even with noisy velocity measurements.

Graphical abstractEstimation of the zeta potential and the dielectric constant has been performed using velocity measurements in the electroosomotic flows. (a) Measurement location in a three-dimensional straight microchannel. Contours of axial velocity are also plotted. (b) Estimation error of ζ versus frequency of the external potential ω. (c) Estimation error of ε versus ω.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide