Microfluidic Turn-down Valve

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Tesar, V.

Affiliations: The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK. e-mail: v.tesar@sheffield.ac.uk

Abstract: Flow visualisation and numerical flowfield computations were used in the development of a microfluidic valve for control of reaction product in microreactors. The flow rate is modulated by head-on collision with an opposed flow of control fluid. This principle makes possible unique capability of turn-down (rather than diverting) control at very low operating Reynolds numbers (- design value Re = 75). The planar layout with shallow constant-depth cavities is suitable for microfabrication, especially by one-sided etching.

Keywords: microfluidics, valves, colliding flows, colliding jets

Journal: Journal of Visualization, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 301-307, 2002