Particle concentration influences inertial focusing in Multiorifice Flow Fractionation microfluidic devices

Abstract

Multiorifice - Flow - Fractionation (MOFF) devices have been used for the separation of microparticles and cells according to their size and the degree of inertia (i.e. Re number). Herein an additional parameter, particle concentration; is reported to affect the performance of MOFF when the remaining conditions are unchanged. Particularly, at low concentrations focusing occurs efficiently at the center of these devices, while at higher concentrations particles tend to accumulate near the channel walls. This indicates that particle-particle interactions are a key components in the performances of these devices.