Layered fluid model and flow simulation for microchannels using electrical networks

In this paper, we present the modelling of the flowrate of a circular and a rectangular microchannel using an electrical network. The aim of this study is to produce a fast first approximation of the flowrates of microchannels for the design of microfluidic devices. It contributes to the physical component of our virtual reality-prototyping computer-aided design tool for microelectromechanical systems, with emphasis on fast calculations for virtual reality representations. In our model, the flow is segmented into layers and the pertinent models derived. We have achieved this by solving the Navier-Stokes equation, obtaining an analytical model for the circular and a numerical model for the rectangular channels. The resistances of the layers are obtained from the velocity profile of the flow. The electrical network model is implemented in Matlab Simulink. The results are compared with finite element model software (ANSYS) and experimental data. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.