Deterministic microfluidic ratchet. 2009

Kevin Loutherback, and Jason Puchalla, and Robert H Austin, and James C Sturm
Princeton Institute for Science and Technology of Materials, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.

We present a deterministic, nonthermal ratchet where the trajectory of particles in a certain size range is not reversible when the sign of the pressure gradient is reversed at a low Reynolds number. This effect is produced by employing triangular rather than the conventional circular posts in an array that selectively displaces particles transported through the array. The ratchet irreversibly moves particles of a certain size range in a direction orthogonal to an oscillating flow, with no net displacement of the fluid itself. The underlying mechanism of this ratchet is shown to be connected to irreversible particle-post interactions and the asymmetric fluid velocity distribution through the gap between the triangular posts. Diffusion plays no role in this ratchet, and hence the device parameters presented here can be scaled up to high rates of flow, of clear importance in separation technologies.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010316 Particle Size Relating to the size of solids. Particle Sizes,Size, Particle,Sizes, Particle
D011137 Polystyrenes Polymerized forms of styrene used as a biocompatible material, especially in dentistry. They are thermoplastic and are used as insulators, for injection molding and casting, as sheets, plates, rods, rigid forms and beads. Polystyrol,Polystyrene,Polystyrols
D046210 Microfluidic Analytical Techniques Methods utilizing the principles of MICROFLUIDICS for sample handling, reagent mixing, and separation and detection of specific components in fluids. Microfluidic Analysis,Analyses, Microfluidic,Analysis, Microfluidic,Analytical Technique, Microfluidic,Analytical Techniques, Microfluidic,Microfluidic Analyses,Microfluidic Analytical Technique,Technique, Microfluidic Analytical,Techniques, Microfluidic Analytical

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