CAPILLARY FLOW IN CONVERGING OPEN-FLUIDIC CHANNELS

Abstract

Thorough study of microflow dynamics in open channels is a relatively new area of research. Recently, flow in rectangular and triangular uniform cross-section channels has been investigated and the effect of bifurcation networks on flow has been reported [1-3]. Regarding non-uniform cross section channels, investigation of flow velocity dynamics in abrupt constrictions and enlargements has been published [4]. In this work, we present a study on the dynamics of open microflows in progressively converging and diverging channels. An experimental approach has been conducted and a theoretical model developed to explain the change of flow velocity observed in these geometrical features.