page_title: Open microfluidics
section_title: Capillary filaments in V-groove
hierarchical_section_title: Open microfluidics / Capillary filaments in open microfluidics / Capillary filaments in V-groove
caption_attribution_description: English: u shape capillary flow
context_page_description: Microfluidics refers to the flow of fluid in channels or networks with at least one dimension on the micron scale. In open microfluidics, also referred to as open surface microfluidics or open-space microfluidics, at least one boundary confining the fluid flow of a system is removed, exposing the fluid to air or another interface such as a second fluid.
context_section_description: V-groove, unlike U-groove, allows for a variety of velocities depending on the groove angle. V-grooves with sharp groove angle result in the interface curvature at the corners explained by reduced Concus-Finn conditions. In a perfect inner corner of a V-groove, the filament will advance indefinitely in the groove allowing the formation of capillary filament depending on the wetting conditions. The width of the groove plays an important role in controlling the fluid flow. The narrower the V-groove is, the better the capillary flow of liquids is even for highly viscous liquids such as blood; this effect has been used to produce an autonomous assay. The fabrication of a V-groove is more difficult than a U-groove as it poses a higher risk for faulty construction, since the corner has to be tightly sealed.
caption: SCF in U-groove (left) U-groove open microfluidic channel SCF (right)
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