Electrokinetic Manipulation of Peristaltic Flow in Microfluidic Systems
Summary
Electrokinetic manipulation of peristaltic flow in microfluidic systems integrates electrically driven transport phenomena with mechanically induced wave-like contractions of channel walls. Such hybridised control affords precise regulation of fluid velocity, shear distribution and particulate transport within microscale conduits. By imposing an electric field across an electrolyte-filled channel, electroosmotic forces act on the diffuse layer of ions adjacent to charged surfaces, augmenting or opposing the peristaltic pump action. Key parameters—such as zeta potential, Debye length and waveform amplitude—govern pumping efficiency, mixing performance and energy dissipation. This approach underpins advances in point-of-care diagnostics, drug delivery platforms, lab-on-a-chip devices and organ-on-chip models, where minimised sample volumes and accurate dosing are paramount. Recent progress includes enhanced control of non-Newtonian biofluids, magnetohydrodynamic modulation and programmable peristaltic pumps featuring dynamic electrokinetic feedback.
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Electrokinetic Manipulation of Peristaltic Flow in Microfluidic Systems publication trend
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Technical terms
Electroosmosis: Motion of a liquid induced by an applied electric field acting on the electric double layer at a charged solid–liquid interface.
Peristaltic Flow: Propulsion of fluid by travelling waves of contraction and expansion along deformable channel walls.
Electric Double Layer (EDL): Structured region of counter-ions and co-ions adjacent to a charged surface in an electrolyte.
Zeta Potential: Electrical potential at the shear plane within the EDL, governing electroosmotic mobility.
Debye Length: Characteristic decay length of electric potential in the EDL, dependent on ionic strength.
Soret Effect: Mass flux arising from a temperature gradient in a multicomponent fluid.
Dufour Effect: Heat flux induced by concentration gradients within a fluid.
Entropy Generation: Quantification of irreversibilities due to heat transfer, viscous dissipation and Joule heating in a flow system.
References
- Convective Mass/Heat Analysis of an Electroosmotic Peristaltic Flow of Ionic Liquid in a Symmetric Porous Microchannel with Soret and Dufour. Mathematical Problems in Engineering (2021).
- Simulation of Gold Nanoparticle Transport during MHD Electroosmotic Flow in a Peristaltic Micro-Channel for Biomedical Treatment. Micromachines (2022).
- Numerical entropy analysis of MHD electro-osmotic flow of peristaltic movement in a nanofluid. Heliyon (2024).
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