Inertial microfluidics for continuous particle separation in spiral microchannels

In this work we report on a simple inertial microfluidic device that achieves continuous multi-particle separation using the principle of Dean-coupled inertial migration in spiral microchannels. The dominant inertial forces coupled with the Dean rotational force due to the curvilinear microchannel geometry cause particles to occupy a single equilibrium position near the inner microchannel wall. The position at which particles equilibrate is dependent on the ratio of the inertial lift to Dean drag forces. Using this concept, we demonstrate, for the first time, a spiral lab-on-a-chip (LOC) for size-dependent focusing of particles at distinct equilibrium positions across the microchannel cross-section from a…

• UO
  University of Cincinnati
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research
• NI
  National Institutes of Health