Acoustofluidic control of bubble size in microfluidic flow-focusing configuration.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 25510843.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1039/c4lc01139b.
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Abstract
This paper reports a method to control the bubble size generated in a microfluidic flow-focusing configuration. With an ultrasonic transducer, we induce acoustic streaming using a forward moving, oscillating gas-liquid interface. The induced streaming substantially affects the formation process of gas bubbles. The oscillating interface acts as a pump that increases the gas flow rate significantly and forms a larger bubble. This method is applicable to a wide range of gas pressure from 30 to 90 kPa and flow rate from 380 to 2700 μL h(-1). The bubble size can be tuned repeatedly with the response time on the order of seconds. We believe that this method will enhance the capability of a microfluidic bubble generator to produce a tunable bubble size.