Example: Electrokinetic valve

Electrokinetic valve Introduction This model shows the modeling of electrokinetic flow in micro channels in MEMS, bio chips, and micro laboratories. The model shows the combination of ready-to-use applications in COMSOL Multiphysics and the possibility of using free equation-based expressions in the edit fields. The model is solved using the electrokinetic flow application mode in the Chemical Engineering Module and the General Form in COMSOL Multiphysics

Geometry and assumptions Electrokinetic valve – Problem Definition Geometry and assumptions Focusing Model solved in two stages Electric field and flow profile solved at steady-state in the focusing stage. The concentration profile is calculated as a function of t for the injection and separation stages. Supporting electrolyte is assumed, i.e. the concentration of the species does not influence the conductivity of the medium. Injection

Domain Equations, steady-state solution Focusing stage Electrokinetic valve – Problem Definition Domain Equations, steady-state solution Focusing stage Momentum and global mass balance: Global charge balance for supporting electrolyte: Mass balance for diluted species:

Mass balance for solute: Electrokinetic valve – Problem Definition Domain Equations, time-dependent problem Injection and separation stages Mass balance for solute: Global charge balance:

Boundary Conditions, focusing stage Electrokinetic valve – Problem Definition Boundary Conditions, focusing stage Momentum and global mass balances: all inlets outlet Global charge balance: all boundaries Mass balance, solute: main inlet vertical inlets outlet

Conditions, time-dependent injection and separation stages Electrokinetic valve – Problem Definition Conditions, time-dependent injection and separation stages buffer inlet all other boundaries Initial condition obtained from the steady state solution

Electrokinetic valve – Results Concentration profile in the focusing, injection, and separation stages. Field configuration 1 Cross section plot Poor detachment gives pulse broadening

Electrokinetic valve – Results Concentration profile in the focusing, injection, and separation stages. Field configuration 2 Cross section plot Good detachment gives well-defined pulse

Electrokinetic valve – Concluding remarks The model is very simple to define and solve in COMSOL Multiphysics. The results agree with similar models from literature. The model is able to predict the field configuration that gives a well defined sample pulse in the sample channel.