mikroströmning

Mikroströmning refers to fluid flow at the microscale, typically within channels or devices with characteristic dimensions ranging from microns to a few hundred microns. This regime of fluid dynamics exhibits unique behaviors compared to macroscopic flows due to the increased significance of surface forces, viscous effects, and diffusion. At the microscale, the Reynolds number, which compares inertial forces to viscous forces, is generally low, leading to laminar flow regimes where fluid layers slide past each other smoothly without turbulence.

The behavior of fluids in microchannels is heavily influenced by surface-to-volume ratios. Surface tension, surface charge, and van der Waals forces become dominant factors affecting fluid motion, droplet formation, and particle manipulation. Electrokinetic phenomena, such as electroosmosis and electrophoresis, play a crucial role in driving fluid flow and transporting charged species within microfluidic devices. Diffusion also becomes more prominent in comparison to convection for certain processes, impacting mixing and reaction rates.

Microströmning is fundamental to the field of microfluidics, which involves the manipulation of small fluid volumes in miniaturized devices. Applications of microströmning are diverse and include lab-on-a-chip systems for chemical analysis and biological assays, drug delivery systems, inkjet printing, and microreactors. Understanding and controlling mikroströmning is essential for the design and optimization of these micro-scale technologies, enabling precise control over fluid behavior and enabling novel functionalities.