Computational Fluid Dynamics Modelling of Microfluidic Channel for Dielectrophoretic BioMEMS Application

Abstract EN

We propose a strategy for optimizing distribution of flow in a typical benchtop microfluidicchamber for dielectrophoretic application.

It is aimed at encouraging uniform flowvelocity along the whole analysis chamber in order to ensure DEP force is evenly appliedto biological particle.

Via the study, we have come up with a constructive strategy inimproving the design of microfluidic channel which will greatly facilitate the use of DEPsystem in laboratory and primarily focus on the relationship between architecture andcell distribution, by resorting to the tubular structure of blood vessels.

The design wasvalidated by hydrodynamic flow simulation using COMSOL Multiphysics v4.2a software.

Simulations show that the presence of 2-level bifurcation has developed portioning ofvolumetric flow which produced uniform flow across the channel.

However, further bifurcationwill reduce the volumetric flow rate, thus causing undesirable deposition of cellsuspension around the chamber.

Finally, an improvement of microfluidic design withrounded corner is proposed to encourage a uniform cell adhesion within the channel.