We demonstrate that flagellated bacteria can be utilized in surface arrays (carpets) to achieve mixing in a low-Reynolds number fluidic environment. The mixing performance of the system is quantified by measuring the diffusion of small tracer particles. We show that the mixing performance responds to modifications to the chemical and thermal environment of the system, which affects the metabolic activity of the bacteria. Although the mixing performance can be increased by the addition of glucose (food) to the surrounding buffer or by raising the buffer temperature, the initial augmentation is also accompanied by a faster decay in mixing performance, due to falling pH and oxygen starvation, both induced by the higher metabolic activity of the bacterial system.
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March 2007
Technical Papers
Use of Bacterial Carpets to Enhance Mixing in Microfluidic Systems
Min Jun Kim,
Min Jun Kim
Division of Engineering,
Brown University
, Providence, RI 02912
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Kenneth S. Breuer
Kenneth S. Breuer
Search for other works by this author on:
Min Jun Kim
Division of Engineering,
Brown University
, Providence, RI 02912
Kenneth S. Breuer
J. Fluids Eng. Mar 2007, 129(3): 319-324 (6 pages)
Published Online: September 7, 2006
Article history
Received:
February 5, 2006
Revised:
September 7, 2006
Citation
Kim, M. J., and Breuer, K. S. (September 7, 2006). "Use of Bacterial Carpets to Enhance Mixing in Microfluidic Systems." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. March 2007; 129(3): 319–324. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2427083
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