Taylor-Aris dispersion in microfluidic networks

This thesis constitutes the development and application of a theory for the lumped parameter, convective-diffusive-reactive transport of individual, non-interacting Brownian solute particles ("macromolecules") moving within spatially periodic, solvent-filled networks - the latter representing models of chip-based microfluidic devices, as well as porous media. The use of a lumped parameter transport model and network geometrical description affords the development of a discrete calculation scheme for computing the relevant network-scale (macrotransport) parameters, namely the mean velocity vector U*, dispersivity dyadic D* and, if necessary, the mean volumetric solute depletion rate K*. The ease with which these discrete calculations can be performed for complex networks renders feasible parametric studies of potential microfluidic chip designs, particularly those pertinent to biomolecular separation schemes. To demonstrate the computational and conceptual advantages of this discrete scheme, we consider: (i) a pair of straightforward examples, dispersion analysis of (non-reactive) pressure-driven flow in spatially periodic serpentine microchannels and reactive transport in an elementary geometric model of a porous medium; and (ii) a pair of case studies based upon the microfluidic separation techniques of vector chromatography and entropic trapping.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Dorfman, Kevin David, 1977-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Howard Brenner.

• Chemical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33161

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33161