Microfluidic quadrupole and floating concentration gradient

Mohammad A. Qasaimeh, Thomas Gervais and David Juncker ()
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Mohammad A. Qasaimeh: McGill University
Thomas Gervais: École Polytechnique de Montréal
David Juncker: McGill University

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The concept of fluidic multipoles, in analogy to electrostatics, has long been known as a particular class of solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation in potential flows; however, experimental observations of fluidic multipoles and of their characteristics have not been reported yet. Here we present a two-dimensional microfluidic quadrupole and a theoretical analysis consistent with the experimental observations. The microfluidic quadrupole was formed by simultaneously injecting and aspirating fluids from two pairs of opposing apertures in a narrow gap formed between a microfluidic probe and a substrate. A stagnation point was formed at the centre of the microfluidic quadrupole, and its position could be rapidly adjusted hydrodynamically. Following the injection of a solute through one of the poles, a stationary, tunable, and movable—that is, 'floating'—concentration gradient was formed at the stagnation point. Our results lay the foundation for future combined experimental and theoretical exploration of microfluidic planar multipoles including convective–diffusive phenomena.

Date: 2011
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1471

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1471

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