4D synchrotron microtomography and pore-network modelling for direct in situ capillary flow visualization in 3D printed microfluidic channels

Lab on a Chip
Agnese PiovesanBart Nicolai

Abstract

Powder-based 3D printing was employed to produce porous, capillarity-based devices suitable for passive microfluidics. Capillary imbibition in such devices was visualized in situ through dynamic synchrotron X-ray microtomography performed at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) with sub-second time resolution. The obtained reconstructed images were segmented to observe imbibition dynamics, as well as to compute the system effective contact angle and to generate a pore-network to model capillary imbibition. A contact angle gradient was observed resulting in a preferential wicking direction, with the central portion of the microfluidic channel filling faster than the edge areas. The contact angle analysis and the pore-network model results suggest that this is due to spatial variations in the material surface properties arising from both the 3D printing and the subsequent drying processes.

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Citations

May 11, 2021·Advanced Materials·Clement AchilleRob Ameloot

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
X-ray

Software Mentioned

Avizo
PyHST
Matlab

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