Investigation of Mixing Performance of Two-Dimensional Micromixer Using Tesla Structures with Different Shapes of Obstacles

In this work, numerical and experimental analyses have been conducted to analyze the effect of different shapes of obstructions (diamond, rectangular, and circular) on mixing performance of a micromixer with Tesla structures. Fluid flow behaviors were numerically analyzed by solving the Navier–Stokes equations using convection-diffusion model in the Reynolds number range of 0.2–200. Tesla structure can produce transverse dispersion by splitting and recombining of the fluid streams. Micromixers were fabricated using a soft lithography technique with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed using inverted microscopy and image processing techniques. Sporadically positioned obstacles enhance the chaotic advection significantly, and thus the synergistic effect of the transverse dispersion and chaotic advection can improve overall mixing. Tesla structure with circular obstacles found to be very effective in terms of mixing and energy savings. Quantitative estimation of the experimental results shows highly consistent with the numerical results throughout the working range.