Groisman, Alex and Quake, Stephen R. (2004) A Microfluidic Rectifier: Anisotropic Flow Resistance at Low Reynolds Numbers. Physical Review Letters, 92 (9). Art. No. 094501. ISSN 0031-9007 http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:GROprl04
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Abstract
It is one of the basic concepts of Newtonian fluid dynamics that at low Reynolds number (Re) the Navier-Stokes equation is linear and flows are reversible. In microfluidic devices, where Re is essentially always low, this implies that flow resistance in microchannels is isotropic. Here we present a microfluidic rectifier: a microscopic channel of a special shape whose flow resistance is strongly anisotropic, differing by up to a factor of 2 for opposite flow directions. Its nonlinear operation at arbitrary small Re is due to non-Newtonian elastic properties of the working fluid, which is a 0.01% aqueous solution of a high molecular weight polymer. The rectifier works as a dynamic valve and may find applications in microfluidic pumps and other integrated devices.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | ©2004 The American Physical Society (Received 17 September 2003; published 4 March 2004) |
| Subject Keywords: | microfluidics; Navier-Stokes equations; channel flow; non-Newtonian flow; polymer solutions; vortices; valves |
| Record Number: | CaltechAUTHORS:GROprl04 |
| Persistent URL: | http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:GROprl04 |
| Alternative URL: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.094501 |
| Usage Policy: | No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided. |
| ID Code: | 6870 |
| Collection: | CaltechAUTHORS |
| Deposited By: | Archive Administrator |
| Deposited On: | 30 Dec 2006 |
| Last Modified: | 26 Dec 2012 09:26 |
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