Title

Geometry-based macro-tool evaluation of non-moving-part valvular microchannels

Authors

Authors

C. Feldt;L. Chew

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Micromech. Microeng.

Keywords

Engineering, Electrical & Electronic; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Instruments & Instrumentation; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Mechanics

Abstract

An examination of non-moving-part (NMP) microvalves using geometry-based tools is presented. On a microscale, valves without moving parts possess the potential to greatly benefit fluid delivery systems. To improve valve effectiveness, these 'valves'-which are little more than rectangular, multiple-path channels-require configurations that retard reverse-direction flow as much as possible relative to forward-direction flow. Application of current geometry-based macro-tools to the microchannels of interest provides much insight into pressure-loss/flow-rate relationships for these valves. It was observed that for forward flow, macro-tools predict pressure losses quite well. For reverse flow, transition losses at this scale appear too minute to completely describe experimental data. Yet, with a modified model, pressure-loss behavior can follow a somewhat similar trend for the reverse case. With proper consideration, geometry-based macro-tools are shown to provide helpful insight into pressure-loss/flow-rate relationships for NMP microvalves.

Journal Title

Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering

Volume

12

Issue/Number

5

Publication Date

1-1-2002

Document Type

Article

Language

English

First Page

662

Last Page

669

WOS Identifier

WOS:000178281200023

ISSN

0960-1317

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