Design of microfluidic channel networks with specified output flow rates using the CFD-based optimization method

We report an effective, easy-to-use, computational fluid dynamics-based optimization method for designing purely resistive microfluidic networks with desired flow rates at user-specified outlets. The detailed topology and shape of the microchannel networks are obtained by minimizing the fluidic resistance of channels under a fixed driving flow rate at the inlet. This proposed method allows flexibility in setting up the relative positions among the inlet and outlets so that the layout of channel networks can be compactly adjusted based on the specific design requirements.

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