Handling Instructions Diffusion Mixer
Fluidic 186

Chip description
The diffusion mixer chip Fluidic 186 possesses two independent functional mixing units. Each unit features four inlet
ports and one outlet port. Those ports possess Luer format.
The two mixing units are nearly identical, apart from varying
channel widths of two inlet channels.
Channel features of the mixing units are:• Channel depth: 100 µm (all channels)• Channel width mixing channel: 200 µm• Channel width inlets 1 and 2: 100 µm• Channel width inlets 3 and 4: 100 µm (unit 2);
200 µm (unit 1)• Volume mixing channel: 4.11 µl• Length mixing channel: 217 mm

Passive micromixing through diffusion
As flows in microchannels are usually laminar, mixing of liquids at microscale is a challenge but can be tackled using
various approaches. One of the simplest methods for effective
micromixing is to increase the interfacial areas between thefluids. Diffusion will cause the transfer of molecules throughthe interfacial area.
microfluidic ChipShop‘s diffusion mixer with its 217 mm longchannel that enables a prolonged co-flow of fluids, makes use
exactly of this principle.
Not only the interfacial area but also contact time will influence the mixing results. By varying the flow rates of fluids to bemixed, the contact time can be controlled in order to achieveeffective mixing.

Contact in Japan: ASICON Tokyo Ltd.
www.asicon-tokyo.com / asicon-tokyo@asicon-tokyo.com

Handling Instructions Fluidic 186
Handling instructions - a step-by-step description
Inlet channel 1
Inlet channel 3

1

3
Mixing channel

Inlets
Inlet channel 2
Inlet channel 42

Outlet4

Necessary equipment• 1 x chip Fluidic 186• 3 pcs male Luer Fluid connectors• 2 pcs male Luer plug
• Silicon sleeve (cut from silicone tube)• PTFE tubing• Handling frame• Pump system of your choice (e.g. pressure-driven pumpwith two channels)

Step 1• Place chip into the handling frame• Connect Luer connectors with silicone sleeves• Insert PTFE tubing into silicone sleeves• Insert Luer connectors into Luer interfaces (here: green inlets; opaque - outlet)• Close unused Luer ports with Luer plugs (black)• Connect PTFE tubing with pumps

Step 2• Connect further chip modules to your setup, e.g.

channel or chamber chips (optional)• Start micropumps to pump fluids to be mixed• Use low flow rates (e.g. 5 µl/min for each channel)• Adjust flow rates depending on fluids to achievecomplete mixing within microchannel

Handling Instructions Fluidic 186

Application example: mixing of colored water
Here we show exemplary how flow speeds (and consequently contact times) of the two liquids to be mixed, influence mixing
results. The diffusion mixer was used to mix water, colored with pencil ink. One can clearly see how higher flow speeds resultin less effective mixing.
The two mixing units of Fluidic 186 can also be daisy-chained in order to obtain an even longer mixing channel.

3+3 µl / min

10+10 µl / min

50+50 µl / min

At low flow rates (each channel 3 µl /min), mixing of yellow andblue fluid streams occurs early in the microchannel.

At medium flow rates (each channel 10 µl /min), mixing of the twocolored fluids is achived by the time the channel outlet is reached.

At high flow rates (each channel 50 µl /min) diffusion is not suffcient to mix the two fluids completly within the microchannel.

Off-the-shelf available - Diffusion mixer chip Fluidic 186
The diffusion mixer chip Fluidic 186 is off-the-shelf available in two different thermoplastic polymers, which are Zeonor (COP)and Polycarbonate (PC).

Diffusion mixer fluidic 186 with Luer interfaces

Detailed schematic drawing of channels of mixing unit 1 on diffusion mixer Fluidic 186

Assembly of a Luer fluid connector, silicone sleeve and PTFE tubing
in Luer port an disassembled connector setup

Product Codefor Fluidic 186

LidThickness[µm]

ChannelDepth[µm]ChannelWidth[µm]Material

10000018

175

100

inlets 100 / 200

PC

mixer 200
outlet 200
10000075

188100

intets 100 / 200

Zeonormixer 200
outlet 200

Product CodeDescription of Accessories

Material

Quantity

10000080

Male Luer fluid connector

PP - opaque

10 pcs / pack

10000231

Male Luer plugs

PP - black

10 pcs / pack

10000031

Silicone tube, ID: 0.76 mm, OD: 1.65 mm

Silicone

1m10000032

Micro tubes, PTFE, ID: 0.5 mm, OD:1.0 mm

PTFE1mContact in Japan: ASICON Tokyo Ltd.
www.asicon-tokyo.com / asicon-tokyo@asicon-tokyo.com