(533d) Effect of Channel Morphology on Electrophoretic Transport

The electrrohydrodynamic taken place in a micro-capillary channel has a direct effect on the dispersive mixing phenomena. Whether separation or mixing occurs may be controlled by manipulating the parameters that may affect the electrohydrodynmic within the capillary system. Within this framework, the hydrodynamic velocity field behavior and how advective-based transport processes may modify the motion of macromolecules or solutes within the channel are a key factor on the study of separation efficiently of electrophoretic processes; these may include, for example, electro-assisted drug delivery, micro-electrophoretic separations, soil remediation, and material processing. In this contribution, a flow under laminar regime has been the subject of study as to determine the velocity variations that this typical flow regime experiences on its profile by the effect of channel axial geometrical changes combined with electrostatics. The system under study is defined by the Navier Stoke equation including the electrostatic forces. Asymmetrical boundary conditions (on the wall of the micro-channel) have been imposed over the system to capture the most representative behavior of the fluid flow. Several numerical examples will illustrate the hydrodynamic trends using the channel axial deformation, Reynolds' Number, Debye Length, Electrostatic Potential ratio as well as design factors. Among the illustrations, specific cases of flow reversal due the changes in the ratio of different driving forces will be included and the role of wall-based conditions on the velocity profile will be discussed. The potential implications for the transport of solutes within the channel for bioseparation purposes will be included