On-chip Virtual Vortex Gear

抄録

We observed an interesting phenomenon of coupled vortices in a microfluidic channel with different driving pressure. We call this phenomenon “Virtual Vortex Gear”, as the vortices transmitting like a set of gear. The channel has an elbow and a circular chamber outside the bend point. In addition to the phenomenon, we can also control the flow into the chamber by adjusting the driving pressure and we name this feature “Virtual Valve”. Microbeads were used as tracers in the experiments. The relation between the vortices and driving pressure is discussed. With simulation on COMSOL, we evaluate Virtual Valve and determine the proper size and shape for the design.