Characteristics of truncate-angle rhombic micromixer and rapid mold fabrication using CO2 laser micromachining

Fluid dynamics and mixing transport of the rhombic micromixer with truncate angles have been investigated by 3D numerical simulations and experiments. Simulation result shows this rhombic microchannel with truncate angles has high mixing efficiency, compared to cross-shape microchannel. Over 90% mixing enhanced by vortices had been achieved at Re > 100. Different to photolithography process, CO₂ laser machine is used to fabricate the master mold rapidly. Experimental results show this rhombic micromixer enhances much mixing at Re 18.6 and uniform mixing at Re 186, respectively. This device is suitable to the application of high-throughput chemical production.