Particle ordering in inertially focused microfluidic flows

ORAL

Abstract

We study inertially driven focusing of particles [1], which has recently been exploited in a controlled fashion in microfluidic devices [2]. In particular, we characterize the focusing as a function of particle and channel Reynolds number by reporting particle position in directions perpendicular to the flow, and a large distance from the fluid inlet. Focusing of dilute suspensions leads to a linear arrangement of particles whose spacing is primarily a function of concentration and channel aspect ratio. All results are compared with simulations, which provide mechanistic insights into particle behavior.\\ \\ $[1]$ G. Segr\'{e} and A. Silberberg, Nature \textbf{189}, 209 (1961). \\ $[2]$ D. Di Carlo, D. Irimia, R. G. Tompkins, and M. Toner, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. \textbf{104}, 18892 (2007).

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Authors

  • Katherine Humphry

    Department of Physics, Harvard University

  • Pandurang Kulkarni

    Levich Institute and Department of Chemical Engineering, City College of the City University of New York

  • Dino Di Carlo

    BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital

  • Jon Edd

    BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital

  • Mehmet Toner

    BioMEMS Resource Center, Massachusetts General Hospital

  • Jeffrey Morris

    Levich Institute and Department of Chemical Engineering, City College of the City University of New York

  • David Weitz

    Dept of Physics and SEAS, Harvard University, Department of Physics \& School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University

  • Howard A. Stone

    Harvard University - School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, SEAS - Harvard University, Harvard Univ., Harvard University, SEAS, Harvard University, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University