A numerical investigation of magnetic mixing in electroosmotic flows

Abstract

In this study, the efficiency of passive mixing in an electroosmotic flow has been simulated numerically in the presence of a magnetic field which can potentially improve the mixing efficiency by applying a force normal to the flow direction. It is demonstrated that the mixing efficiency can be efficiently enhanced by effects of the magnetic field on the flow. The numerical results revealed that for flow at Reynolds of 0.02, the microchannel length of 100 µm and the maximum Peclet of 1.351×10-3, the applied magnetic field can increase the mixing efficiency from 70% to 90% in a given microchannel length.