Theoretical Microfluidics

Abstract

Liquid flow on the microscale often does not behave as we would expect intuitively from our macroscopic point of view. The goal of this course is to provide an insight into specific fluidic phenomena that appear on the microscale. A range of selected lab-on-a-chip devices and applications will be discussed to exemplify these specific properties. Starting with a derivation of the Navier-Stokes and Stokes equations, the course intends to explore fundamental concepts that are relevant in the field of microfluidics. We will derive solutions for some basic microfluidic situations, with specific focus on pressure-driven flows. Diffusion and on-chip mixing approaches will be analyzed. One chapter is dedicated to an introduction to droplet microfluidics. A second part of the course addresses the physical/theoretical background of liquid transport by means of electrical fields on the micro- and nanoscale (electroosmosis). We will also derive the formulas governing the manipulation of cells or particles by electric forces (dielectrophoresis) and by magnetic forces in microfluidic devices.