Simulation-Aided Optimal Microfluidic Sorting for Monodispersed Microparticles

Abstract

In order to avoid performing too many experiments by a trial-and-error approach, this study used the simulation method to investigate the optimum geometry of a microfluidic chip for sorting droplets. Under the framework of the double T-junction hybrid channel, geometry factors such as (i) the distance between the two junctions, (ii) the size of the second junction, and (iii) the size of the broadened channel were analyzed. How these factors impacted the separation process and device performance were examined and discussed to optimize the double T-junction channel design. Results indicated that the best separation performance occurred when the separation layer thickness was 8~15% of the upstream main channel width. This simulation analysis helped the optimum channel geometry design in the microfluidic chip for droplet sorting to prepare uniform microparticles.