Combined Effect of Heterogeneous Zeta Potential on Microchannel Wall and Conductive Link in Induced Charge Electrokinetic Micromixing

In this paper, a variation of induced charge electrokinetic (ICEK) micromixing is investigated numerically. The channel walls are subjected to heterogeneous zeta potentials. Further, conductive links are also employed inside the channel to enhanced mixing. The primary aim is to understand the influence of control parameters (i.e. zeta potential, number of conductive links, their orientation and applied electrical potential) on mixing efficiency. Heterogeneous zeta potential creates recirculation zone in the flow and increases the interferential contact between the fluids layer, hence improving the mixing. Further, the conductive links induce the micro vortices which enhance the mixing. The induced charge on the conductive link is calculated using correction model. Results show that the mixing efficiency increased by two times when conductive link inside the channel and heterogeneous zeta potential patch on wall is mounted. It is also observed that the mixing efficiency increased as the number of links and patches increased.