Lumped Parameter Modeling for Microfluidic Networks for Realizing Reconfigurable Nano-Optics Architectures

The geometry of a microchannel (or nanochannel) has a significant effect on pressure drop due to viscous friction. In this study, we investigate the flow behavior in microfluidic network architectures where the flow occurs from a straight square main channel to tributary channels. The flow phenomena are studied for various geometries such as circular, hexagonal, rectangular, rhombohedra, square, and triangular cross-sections. We calculate the filling time of microchannels by tracking the meniscus position in capillary driven flows. For this calculation, we implement a lumped parameter model based on electrical analogies between flow resistance and viscous friction factor. The simulation of this model is conducted using MATLAB GUI (Graphic User Interface) and it enables an end-user to perform parametric studies such as the effect of hydraulic diameter, length, geometry, number of tributary channels, and properties of the working fluid. The results of simulation are verified via Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations (VOF method). The motivation of this study is to develop relevant design tools for predicting the flow behavior in different reconfigurable microfluidic/nanofluidic network architectures for the realization of programmable photonic band gap crystals (PBC).