Numerical study of a novel microfluidic electroosmotic mixer with high and fast throughput

In this paper the design and numerical simulation of a novel microfluidic electroosmotic micromixer with high throughput and fast mixing time is presented. Due to constant outlet flow rate, some local narrow channel geometries through the mixing channel are created to achieve fast response and shorter mixing time. This micromixer is equipped with two sets of electrode arrays separated by a narrow channel within the mixing area. The microelectrodes are embedded on the side surfaces of the microchannel. The electrode array consists of two sets of four 20 μm and 40 μm microelectrodes. Numerical analysis of electric potential and mean inlet flow velocity effects on mixing efficiency of the micromixer is carried out by means of two sets of simulations in steady state and transient state. First, the electric potential is kept constant at 3 V while the mean inlet flow velocity is varied within 0.1-0.3 mm/s with 0.05 mm/s steps. The highest achieved mixing efficiency is 95.5% at 0.1 mm/s. Next, the mean inlet flow velocity is kept at 0.1 mm/s whilst the electric potential is swept within 0-3.5 V. The best achieved mixing efficiency is 95.7% at 3.5 V.