Fundamental understanding of electroosmotic flow in a heterogeneous converging-diverging circular microchannel

Abstract

This thesis evaluates the fundamental understanding of electroosmotic flow in a heterogeneous converging-diverging circular microchannel. Three converging-diverging circular microchannels were modeled and the Poisson-Boltzmann equation for the electric double layer as well as the Navier-Stokes and continuity equation for the electroosmotic flow field were solved for each microchannel. Velocity profiles showed a proportional relationship between the applied electric field strength and velocity magnitude. Velocity profiles also showed that microchannels with heterogeneous zeta potential conditions will be greatly influenced by the zeta potentials magnitude and charge, either advancing or retarding the flow. Streamlines showed that the channels with zeta potentials of opposite charge will have zero net flow at low applied electric field strength.