Design and simulation of passive micromixers with ridges for enhanced efficiency

Abstract

Uniform and rapid mixing between various streams in a microfluidic device is essential for the development of device involving reaction between multiple streams. In this work, microfluidic channels of various geometries were designed and their fluid flow patterns were analyzed to optimize complete mixing of different fluids. The designs were modified by incorporating different types of ridges (square, curved and triangular shaped) in the microfluidic channels. Numerical analysis of the designs was carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics 4.3a. The extent of mixing in each of the design was calculated and the optimized design was fabricated using photolithography followed by soft lithography. The performance of the developed micromixer was studied using colored solutions and it was found to be in good agreement with the simulated results.