Finite Element Approach for Reactive Microfluidic Devices

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We report a finite element method (FEM) based model for simulating microfluidic devices with chemical reactions. The simulation approach incorporates a general mesh generation procedure, which allows us to explore different application-oriented designs of microfluidic devices. Simulations, which have been validated by experiments, are used to characterize temperature and species profiles of a Tshaped microreactor. Predicted results capture the observed complex temperature behavior arising from the heat generation of catalytic reactions. Simulation tools developed in this work are demonstrated to be useful in designing a silicon-membrane based microreactor with improved heat transfer characteristics.

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Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: Technical Proceedings of the 1998 International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems
Published: April 6, 1998
Pages: 492 - 497
Industry sector: Sensors, MEMS, Electronics
Topic: Micro & Bio Fluidics, Lab-on-Chip
ISBN: 0-96661-35-0-3