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Flow and mixing processes in a passive mixing microfluidic chip: Parameters’ estimation and colorimetric analysis

https://doi.org/10.32362/2410-6593-2019-14-5-39-50

Abstract

Objectives. The development of microfluidic systems is one of the promising areas of science and technology. In most procedures performed using microfluidic systems, effective mixing in microfluidic channels of microreactors (chips) is of particular importance, because it has an effect on the sensitivity and speed of analytical procedures. The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the major parameters of the flow and mixing processes in a passive microfluidic micromixer, and to develop an information-measuring system to monitor the dynamics of flow (mixing) of liquids.

Methods. This article provides an overview of the concept of microfluidic mixing chips (micromixers) and their classification, and analyzes the kinds of points of mixing and microfluidic channels for mixing. The article presents the description and calculations of the hydrodynamic similarity criteria (Reynolds, Dean and Peclet numbers), which are the critical parameters for creating and optimizing micromixers (for example, straight and curved channels in the flow rate range between 100 and 1000 µl/min). We have developed an information-measuring system to monitor the dynamics of flow (mixing) of liquids in a microfluidic channel, which consists of a microscope with a digital eyepiece (LOMO MIB, Russia), an Atlas syringe pump (Syrris Ltd., UK) and a passive mixing microfluidic chip of interest (made of clear glass). This system was designed to quickly illustrate the principles of mixing in microfluidic channels of different configurations.

Results. The developed system has allowed carrying out a colorimetric analysis of the modes and dynamics of mixing two liquids (5% aqueous solution of azorubine dye and water) at the T-shaped mixing point, at the straight and curved (double-bend shaped) sections of the microfluidic channel of the passive-type micromixer with flow rates varying from 100 to 400 µl/min.

Conclusions. According to the obtained calculations, the share of the advective mixing processes (formation of vortex flows and increase in the contact area of the mixed substances) in flowing liquids is significantly higher in curved microchannels. The developed information-measuring system to monitor the dynamics of flow (mixing) of liquids in a microfluidic channel is a convenient tool for optimizing the mixing modes in the channels of micromixers, and for designing new configurations of channels in microchips. It would allow intensifying processes and increasing the performance of microfluidic systems.

About the Authors

K. A. Sarbashev
ООО «НПФ «Материа Медика Холдинг»; Российский государственный аграрный университет – МСХА им. К.А. Тимирязева
Russian Federation

Kirill A. Sarbashev, Technologist, Research Laboratory; Postgraduate Student, Chair of Storage and Processing Technologies of Animal Origin Products

ResearcherID X-1340-2019

47-1, Trifonovskaya ul., Moscow 129272, Russia; 49, Timiryazevskaya ul., Moscow 127550, Russia


Competing Interests:

The authors of this article are employed by OOO ˮNPF ˮMATERIA MEDICA HOLDINGˮ, a company sponsoring this study.



M. V. Nikiforova
ООО «НПФ «Материа Медика Холдинг»; Российский университет дружбы народов
Russian Federation

Marina V. Nikiforova, Pharmaceutical Technology Project Manager, Research and Analytical Department; Postgraduate Student, Chair of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry

ResearcherID X-3703-2019

47-1, Trifonovskaya ul., Moscow 129272, Russia; 6, Miklukho-Maklaya ul., Moscow 117198, Russia


Competing Interests:

The authors of this article are employed by OOO ˮNPF ˮMATERIA MEDICA HOLDINGˮ, a company sponsoring this study.



D. P. Shulga
ООО «НПФ «Материа Медика Холдинг»; Российский университет дружбы народов
Russian Federation

Darya P. Shulga, Junior Researcher, Research Laboratory; Postgraduate Student, Chair of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry

ResearcherID X-3272-2019

47-1, Trifonovskaya ul., Moscow 129272, Russia; 6, Miklukho-Maklaya ul., Moscow 117198, Russia


Competing Interests:

The authors of this article are employed by OOO ˮNPF ˮMATERIA MEDICA HOLDINGˮ, a company sponsoring this study.



M. A. Shishkina
ООО «НПФ «Материа Медика Холдинг»
Russian Federation

Margarita A. Shishkina, Senior Researcher, Research Laboratory

ResearcherID O-8014-2014

47-1, Trifonovskaya ul., Moscow 129272, Russia


Competing Interests:

The authors of this article are employed by OOO ˮNPF ˮMATERIA MEDICA HOLDINGˮ, a company sponsoring this study.



S. A. Tarasov
ООО «НПФ «Материа Медика Холдинг»; Научно-исследовательский институт общей патологии и патофизиологии
Russian Federation

Sergey A. Tarasov, Cand. of Sci. (Medicine), Director of Research & Development Department; Leading Research Associate, Laboratory of Physiologically Active Substances

ResearcherID X-2509-2018

47-1, Trifonovskaya ul., Moscow 129272, Russia; 8, Baltiyskaya ul., Moscow 125315, Russia


Competing Interests:

The authors of this article are employed by OOO ˮNPF ˮMATERIA MEDICA HOLDINGˮ, a company sponsoring this study.



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Supplementary files

1. Fig. 7. View of the information-measuring system (IMS) for monitoring of the dynamics of liquid flow in a microfluidic chip.
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Type Исследовательские инструменты
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For citations:


Sarbashev K.A., Nikiforova M.V., Shulga D.P., Shishkina M.A., Tarasov S.A. Flow and mixing processes in a passive mixing microfluidic chip: Parameters’ estimation and colorimetric analysis. Fine Chemical Technologies. 2019;14(5):39-50. https://doi.org/10.32362/2410-6593-2019-14-5-39-50

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ISSN 2410-6593 (Print)
ISSN 2686-7575 (Online)