Microchannel device

• US 20040094418A1
• Filed: 12/15/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Christopher Tracey, Timothy Ingram Cox
• Original Assignee: Mark Christopher Tracey, Timothy Ingram Cox
• Inventors: Cox, Timothy Ingram, Tracey, Mark Christopher
• Application Number:
  US10/467,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094418A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 204/450
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/104 characterised by the arrangement of the discharge opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/12 Interdigital mixers, i.e. the substances to be mixed are divided in sub-streams which are rearranged in an interdigital or interspersed manner micromixers using interdigital streams B01F33/3012
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/30 Micromixers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 33/3039 with mixing achieved by diffusion between layers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/712 for feeding fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 35/71755 using means for feeding components in a pulsating or intermittent manner

Abstract

This invention relates to a microchannel device comprising a microchannel and a liquid introduction means for introducing at least two liquids into the microchannel; characterised in that the introduction means comprises a pulse means for introducing each liquid into the microchannel in the form of a plurality of pulses, and for staggering the pulses of each liquid relative to the pulses of the other liquids. The device may be used to mix liquids for microfluidic applications.

Claims

1. A method of mixing at least two liquids in a microchannel, comprising the steps:

(a) introducing each liquid into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72), and (b) flowing each liquid along the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72);

wherein the step (a) comprises the steps of (i) introducing each liquid into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) in the form of a plurality of pulses, and (ii) staggering said plurality of pulses, of each liquid, relative to those of the other liquid or liquids;

characterised in that each liquid is introduced into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) through at least one inlet channel (27,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) having an inlet opening in the wall of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) the depth of which inlet channel (27,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) at the point of entry into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) is less than the depth of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72).

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein step (a) is performed in such manner that each pulse contacts part of the microchannel wall substantially opposite the inlet channel (27,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) through which it was introduced.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein step (a) is performed in such a manner that each liquid is introduced into the microchannel (24,32,52,72) at substantially the same position in the microchannel (24,32,52,72) as the other liquids.

4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the location, pressure, and time at which each liquid is introduced is such that vortices are established in the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) as a result of interaction between the or at least two of the liquids.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein step (a) is performed in such a manner that the flow of liquid at the end of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72), remote from the region in which the liquids are introduced, is substantially continuous for a period greater than 100 seconds.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the rate at which the liquids are introduced into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) is so chosen in relation to the dimensions of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) that the flow of liquid through the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) is substantially parabolic.

7. A microchannel device comprising a microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) and liquid introduction means (22,23,25,26) for introducing at least two liquids into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) through at least one inlet channel (27,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) having an inlet opening in the wall of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72);

the liquid introduction means (22,23,25,26) comprising pulse means for introducing each liquid into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) in the form of a plurality of pulses, and for staggering the pulses of each liquid relative to the pulses of the other liquid or liquids;

characterised in that the depth of the or each said inlet channel 927,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) at the point of entry into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) is less than the depth of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72).

8. A microchannel device according to claim 7 wherein the or each said inlet channel (35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) is substantially perpendicular to the microchannel (32,46,52,72).

9. A microchannel device according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the liquid introduction means comprises a valve (25,26), associated with one of the liquids;

the valve (25,26), microchannel (24,32,46,52,72), and liquid being arranged such that opening and then closing the valve (25,26) causes a pulse of liquid to be released into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72).

10. A microchannel device according to claim 9 wherein the liquid introduction means comprises a plurality of valves (25,26).

11. A microchannel device according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the or each said inlet opening is formed within a portion of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) having a length less than 10 mm.

12. A microchannel device according to any one of claims 7 to 11 wherein the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) has a smallest cross-sectional dimension between 1 mm and 100 nm.

13. A microchannel device according to any one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the depth of the or each inlet channel (27,28,35,36,42,43,44,45,53,71) at the point of entry into the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72) is less than half of the depth of the microchannel (24,32,46,52,72).

14. A microchannel device according to nay one of claims 7 to 12 wherein the microchannel (32) comprises at least two sub-channels (33), each sub-channel (33) being substantially parallel to the microchannel (32), the cross-sectional area of each sub-channel (33) being less than that of the microchannel (32), and each sub-channel (33) being located within the microchannel (32).