Generic Microstructured Elements for Micro-mixer Devices

Generic Microstructured Elements for Micro-mixer Devices 

These are just a few among other examples of microstructured designs which are discussed in detail in the next two chapters. More information about these micro-mixer designs can be obtained from reviews, e.g. [60-66], 

In addition to grouping the mixers according to their mixing principles and their generic microstructure designs, a practically oriented classification refers to the complexity of the fluid network [25], So-called in-plane mixers rely on streams which are divided and mixed in a fluid network confined to one level (i.e. a pattern that can be projected on to a single plane) [25], In turn, out-of-plane mixers rely on a 

It is customary, mainly owing to fabrication needs, that for biological applications chip-like systems with two-layer construction are used, thus being in-plane. Mixers used for the same purposes have to adjust to this fact. Since multi-lamination typically needs several layers to achieve the proper feeding pathways, other mixers with simpler designs such as the electrokinetic instability mixer need to be applied [25], In contrast, chemical applications, where the mixer is only associated with part of the plant and not integrated in a small, flat device, do not pose such preferences indeed, multi-layer microfabrication architectures have been used. 

For simulation characterization, the reader should refer to Chapter 2, Modeling and Simulation of Micro Reactors, in the first volume of this series [72]. 

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