Dynamic formation of ring-shaped patterns of colloidal particles in microfluidic systems

This letter reports the formation of patterns of micrometer-sized beads within the steady-state recirculation flow of a microvortex generated in a microfluidic system. The mechanism by which these patterns form relies on a delicate balance between the centrifugal and displacement forces experienced by the recirculating particles with a lift force exerted on the particles near the solid boundary of the microcavity. Our observation was made possible by the small dimensions of the microchannels we used and by the presence of steep velocity gradients unique to microfluidic devices. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.