Abstract
Since the discovery of inertial focusing in 1961, numerous theories have been put forward to explain the migration of particles in inertial flows, but a complete understanding is still lacking. Recently, computational approaches have been utilized to obtain better insights into the underlying physics. In particular, fundamental aspects of particle focusing inside straight and curved microchannels have been explored in detail to determine the dependence of focusing behavior on particle size, channel shape, and flow Reynolds number. In this review, we differentiate between the models developed for inertial particle motion on the basis of whether they are semi-analytical, Navier-Stokes-based, or built on the lattice Boltzmann method. This review provides a blueprint for the consideration of numerical solutions for modeling of inertial particle motion, whether deformable or rigid, spherical or non-spherical, and whether suspended in Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids. In each section, we provide the general equations used to solve particle motion, followed by a tutorial appendix and specified sections to engage the reader with details of the numerical studies. Finally, we address the challenges ahead in the modeling of inertial particle microfluidics for future investigators.
Highlights
Microfluidics, a technology characterized by the engineered manipulation of fluids at the microscale, has shown considerable promise in point-of-care diagnostics and clinical studies.[1]
The results revealed that an increase in the solution concentration led to significant enhancement in the volumetric flow rate, which can help to boost the total throughput of a microfluidic device
We have summarized all computational techniques for inertial microfluidic modeling and categorized them into three subsections of semi-analytical solution, direct numerical simulation, and lattice Boltzmann method
Summary
Microfluidics, a technology characterized by the engineered manipulation of fluids at the microscale, has shown considerable promise in point-of-care diagnostics and clinical studies.[1]. His main research interest is to investigate fundamentals of inertial microfluidics in hard chips and design and fabricate functional 3D printed inertial microfluidic devices for particles/cells. He specializes in the lattice-Boltzmann modelling and simulation of complex fluids, for example emulsions, suspensions of deformable particles or red blood cells in blood vessels and microfluidic devices. He currently focuses to develop new numerical methods for inertial microfluidics for healthcare applications. We have reviewed all computational attempts for inertial particle motion, covering asymptotic calculations, Navier–Stokes-based approaches, and LBM
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
