Visualization of Fluidic and Reaction Dynamics in Microchannels

H. Kawazumi, A. Muraki, K. Kanno, H. Maeda
Kinki University, Kyushu, JP

Keywords: PMMA, microreactor, visualization, enzyme reaction, laminar flow

Abstract:
An easy-to-use and low cost microreactor made of polymethylmethacrylate was mechanically fabricated with a microchannel. The laminar flow behavior was investigated by visualizing the flow of red and green aqueous solutions. Digitized color images from a CCD camera were analyzed by using the color resolving in RGB mode. Numeric Data from red and green color components in the images could reveal the fluidic behavior in the microchannel. Effects of corner shapes in a turn, flow rate and surface roughness were observed on the mixing of the laminar flows. Visualization of the distribution of the enzymatic reaction progress could reveal the fluidic and reaction dynamics in the microchannel.

NSTI Nanotech 2003 Conference Technical Program Abstract