wcm.01.2025.178.183

Microfluidic devices are essential in applications requiring precise fluid control, particularly in biotechnology and medicine, where efficient mixing at the microscale is critical. The control of flows in this type of device becomes increasingly difficult; the flows are highly laminar, which significantly reduces the performance of the mixing. It is then necessary to imagine innovative designs to improve it. This study aims to evaluate the performance of a passive 3D Y-shaped serpentine micromixer using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The primary objective is to optimize mixing by taking advantage of transverse flows and chaotic advection of moving fluids. Water and ethanol are utilized as test fluids to analyze the influence of viscosity and flow rates on mixing efficiency. Simulations reveal that the 3D serpentine design significantly enhances mixing at moderate flow rates, optimizing the interaction between advection and diffusion processes. Ethanol, due to its higher viscosity, exhibits extended interaction times and better mixing efficiency compared to water. These findings underscore the critical role of geometric design and fluid properties in enhancing mixing performance. The study provides valuable insights for developing high-efficiency micromixers, paving the way for advanced lab-on-chip systems requiring precise and reliable fluid handling.