Numerical simulation of acoustic streaming near embedded microstructures inside microfluidic channels

In this paper, we report on numerical simulation of fluid circulation inside a microfluidic channel (Reynolds Number /spl sim/0.1) designed to achieve mixing and pumping. The goal of the simulation is to, (a). Set up a flow profile inside the channel with predefined inlet and outlet conditions for pressure and fluid velocity and, (b). Obtain the fluid circulation and its dependence on channel height, inlet fluid velocity, and distance of separation between the microstructures. A CFD model for fluid circulation is developed.