Fluid Transport Mechanisms in Microfluidic Devices

Abstract

Abstract Most microfluidic systems rely on one of two manners of fluid transport: pressure-driven or electrokinetically-driven flow. This investigation focuses on describing these flows in microfabricated channels and small diameter capillary tubes. Flow characterization is accomplished by interrogation of micron-scale fluid regions through a powerful, non-intrusive flow imaging technique. Interesting phenomena have been observed from these detailed examinations. Our results are presented in conjunction with an evaluation of mechanisms that potentially explain observed deviations from the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation. In particular, we show that observed perturbations of electrokinetic flow in open capillaries might be caused by induced pressure gradients. We also show how these induced pressure gradients may globally perturb the flow in an electrokinetically-driven microfluidic system.