Identifier

etd-11132006-211541

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical analysis and numerical simulations of a modified micro-scale electrophoretron adapted for cycling reaction applications (PCR, LDR...). The electrophoretron consists of a closed-loop microchannel. If one part of the length of the channel has an electroosmotic mobility of an opposite sign than the remaining part, a continuous cyclic motion of the fluid can be sustained if a potential difference is applied on two electrodes strategically placed along the channel. Conservation of mass leads to the formation of a pressure gradient and a related hydrodynamic flow. Under appropriate combination of design parameters, the combined Electroosmotic -hydrodynamic flow contributes to the generation of continuous circular motion of the bulk of the fluid along the closed-loop channel. The benefits of this technology for application to thermal cycling reactors are considerable. For example it eliminates long channel lengths required for a specified number of reaction cycles in a continuous flow device; this eliminates the associated high pressure drop in pressure driven continuous flow cycling reactors, and the associated high-voltage requirement in electrokinetically driven flow cycling reactors. It can also minimize thermal transition and cycling times because it allows the use of steady normal zones and provides the option of controlling the number of cycles necessary to obtain results without changing the architecture of the chip.

Date

2006

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Dimitris Nikitopoulos

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1266

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