Non-equilibrium electrokinetic micromixer with 3D nanochannel networks

초록

We report an active micromixer which utilizes vortex generation due to non-equilibrium electrokinetics near the interface between a microchannnel and a nanochannel networks membrane (NCNM), constructed from geometrically controlled in situ self-assembled nanoparticles. A large interfacing area where it is possible to generate vortices can be realized, because nano-interstices between the assembled nanoparticles are intrinsically collective three-dimensional nanochannel networks, which may be compared to typical silicon-based 2D nanochannels. The proposed mixer shows a 2-fold shorter mixing time (similar to 0.78 ms) and a 34-fold shorter mixing length (similar to 7.86 mu m) compared to conventional 2D nanochannels.

키워드