• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2007

We report electrokinetic streaming potential detection in a microchannel. Streaming potential, one of the representative electrokinetic phenomena, becomes noticeable either when the channel size reduces or when the concentration of electrolyte reduces. We suggest a triangular-shaped microchannel to enhance streaming potential. The triangular-shaped microchannel shows better performance than the straight one in terms of streaming potential. Couple of possible methods to enhance streaming potential is also discussed. Moreover, this type of channel and phenomenon can be applied to biological sensor application and energy transduction.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.733-740
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• 2007

Microchannel heat sink shape optimization is performed using Kriging method. Design variables relating to microchannel width, depth and fin width are selected, and thermal resistance has been taken as objective function. Design points are selected through a three-level fractional factorial design of sampling method. Navier-Stokes and energy equations for laminar flow and conjugate heat transfer are solved at these design points using a finite volume solver. Solutions are carefully validated with experimental results. Using the numerically evaluated objective function, a surrogate model (Kriging) is constructed and optimum point is searched by sequential quadratic programming. The process of shape optimization greatly improves the thermal performance of microchannel heat sink under constant pumping power.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.11 s.254
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• pp.1043-1050
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• 2006

An experimental investigation was performed to study flow boiling heat transfer of deionized water in a microchannel. Measurement and evaluation of boiling heat transfer coefficients were carried out using a single horizontal rectangular microchannel having a hydraulic diameter of $100{\mu}m$. Tests were performed for mass fluxes of 90, 169 and 267 $kg/m^2$s and heat fluxes of 200-700 $kW/m^2$. Test results showed that the measured boiling heat transfer coefficients had no dependence on mass flux and vapor quality. Most macro-channel correlations of boiling heat transfer coefficient did not provide reliable predictions.

• 한국전산유체공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.03b
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• pp.585-588
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• 2008

Thermal mixing phenomena in a Y-type microchannel were investigated using a micro-PIV. Two inlet reservoirs of the microchannel were controlled individually so that the characteristics of thermal mixing in the channel with temperature difference were compared with those without the difference. The velocity field in the mixing process was measured using the micro-PIV system that includes an ICCD (Intensified CCD) camera. The mixing area and uniformity were also analyzed. It is observed that the flow fluctuation in spanwise direction is induced by temperature difference, which enhances mixing process in microchannels.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.901-908
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• 2003

Numerical study on stirring characteristics in a microchannel with blocks arranged periodically has been performed. Viscous flows through the microchannel is simulated three-dimensionally using a commercial code, FLUENT 6.0. Focus is given to the effect on the stirring characteristics of the geometric factors including the pitch, height and angle of the block arrangement. The numerical results at low Reynolds numbers show that the particles' trajectories in the microchannel heavily depend on the block arrangement. A nonlinear dynamical tool, i.e. Lyapunov exponent, was used in analysing the mixing effect. It was found that the mixing is the most effective at a certain combination of parameter values.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1269-1274
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• 2014

Due to the presence of Dean flow in curved ducts, helical channels have drawn attention recently because of the practical industrial applications. The manipulation of fluids through microfluidic devices is widely used in many scientific and industrial areas. In the present study, numerical simulations were performed on a helical microchannel to predict the impact of different design parameters that affect Dean flow. Important geometric parameters such as the channel cross section, pitch, radius of curvature, and number of turns were considered for the analysis. The study also incorporates the effect of varying flow rate on Dean flows. It was found from the simulation results that microchannel cross section and pitch have a significant impact on maintaining the Dean flow, compared to the radius of curvature, number of turns, and flow rate.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.1623-1628
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• 2008

A temperature gradient focusing (TGF) via Joule heating phenomenon was numerically studied. The governing transport equations are implemented into a quasi-1D numerical model to predict the resulting temperature, velocity, and concentration profiles along a microchannel of varying width under an applied electric field. The model is used to analyze the effects of varying certain geometrical parameters of a microchannel on the focusing performance of the device. We show the effects of varying width of the microchannel having a fixed length, and propose the optimal geometry of the device. This method can be easily implemented into lab-on-a-chip (LOC) applications where focusing is required based on its simple design.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.11-16
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• 2006

A new method to fabricate metal electrodes on side wall of the microchannel is presented. Electrical signal can be measured by the metal electrodes on channel side wall when microparticles pass through a polymer microchannel. 3 dimensional metal electrodes on channel side wall could be fabricated by local deposition of metal through a shadowmask and inclined evaporation. The polymer microchannel with side wall electrodes could be precisely aligned onto metal contact patterns on pyrex glass. The impedance measurement test showed possibility of electrical signal measurement using the fabricated device.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.30 no.3 s.246
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• pp.255-261
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• 2006

Flow characteristics of DI water in a microchannel with a stenosis were investigated using .a micro PIV system with varying flow rate. The width and depth of the PDMS micro-channel were $100{\mu}m\;and\;50{\mu}m$, respectively. To Investigate flow characteristics in the micro-stenosis, the same experiment was carried out in a straight microchannel under the same flow rate. The measured mean velocity fields were almost symmetric with respect to the channel centerline. The experimental results are well agreed with the theoretical Hagen-Poiseuille profile. In the contraction part of the micro-stenosis, the oncoming flow is accelerated rapidly and the maximum velocity occurs at the throat, almost 4.99 time faster than that without the stenosis.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.839-853
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• 2021

In this paper, a novel multimode liquid metal-based pressure sensor is developed. The main body of the sensor is composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer. The structure of the sensor looks like a sandwich, in which the upper structure contains a cylindrical cavity, and the bottom structure contains a spiral microchannel, and the middle partition layer separates the upper and the bottom structures. Then, the liquid metal is injected into the top cavity and the bottom microchannel. Based on linear elastic fracture mechanics, the deformation of the microchannel cross-section is theoretically analyzed. The changes of resistance, capacitance, and inductance of the microchannel under pressure are deduced, and the corresponding theoretical models are established. The theoretical values of the pressure sensor are in good agreement with experimental data, implying that the developed theoretical model can explain the performance of the sensor well.