Numerical Investigation of Micromixer Using Hybrid Actuation Approach

Micromixer is a crucial component of microfluidics for mixing of various biofluids and biochemicals. In this research work, a numerical investigation of a micromixer using a hybrid actuation approach was conducted for three different micromixer designs. In hybrid actuation approach, acoustic streaming is used as an active approach while hexagonal shape micropillars and triangular wedges are used as passive actuation approach. Three different numerical schemes such as thermoviscous acoustic, laminar flow and transport diluted species are used to solve governing equations. For this purpose, COMSOL Multiphysics is used. The results reveal that the micromixer design with four triangular wedges has a higher mixing performance than other designs. The achieved mixing index of 0.995 for the design with four triangular wedges integrated at sidewall of the channel which is higher value compared to other designs. The improved mixing performance is attributed through increasing acoustic streaming generation. The acquired results can be considered useful for engineers and researchers in the design and modification of micromixers.