Modeling and Control of Biomimetic Cilia-Based Devices for Microfluidic Applications

Abstract

This research investigates biomimetic cilia-based devices (cantilever-type vibrating devices) to reduce the time needed for micro-scale fluid mixing. Inspired by biological systems, the cilia-based devices (that are excited by external excitations) have been proposed for mixing and manipulating liquids in micro/nano-fluidic applications. This research develops models and control methods for such devices. Experimental mixing results, with and without cilia, are comparatively evaluated to show more than an order-of-magnitude reduction in the mixing time with the use of cilia.