Separation of different sized nanoparticles with time using a rotational flow in a 2×2 microfluidic centrifuge

In this paper, we describe the development of a microfluidic centrifuge with two inlets and two outlets potentially capable of rapidly separating nanoparticles. The center of flow rotation and the symmetry of the horizontal velocity in the microchamber were examined numerically. On the basis of the determined maximum velocity, the angular velocity and centrifugal acceleration were evaluated. On the basis of a comparison of the centrifugation time of two different nanoparticle populations of 300 and 700 nm in diameter, we propose that nanoparticles of different sizes can be physically separated by time under a range of inlet volume flow rates.