Magnetic fluid micromixer with tapered magnets

Abstract

A magnetic fluid micromixer with high mixing efficiency using nonuniform magnetic field produced by tapered magnets is proposed. From the numerical results, the mixing efficiency increases with the saturation magnetization of the magnets. The larger the saturation magnetization is, the stronger the magnetic force acted on the magnetic fluid will be. On the other hand, asymmetric magnetic stray field that induces circulation between two fluids leads to higher mixing efficiency than a symmetric one. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.