Opposing Shear-Induced Forces Dominate Inertial Focusing in Curved Channels and High Reynolds Numbers

TL;DR

This paper reveals that opposing shear-induced forces, caused by non-monotonous velocity profiles in curved channels and entry effects in straight channels, dominate inertial focusing at high Reynolds numbers, enabling device miniaturization.

Contribution

It introduces a new focusing mechanism driven by opposing shear forces in curved and developing flow regimes, correcting previous misconceptions about inertial focusing forces.

Findings

Opposing shear forces dominate in curved channels at high Reynolds numbers.

A new miniaturization approach for inertial focusing devices is demonstrated.

The model corrects misconceptions about force balance in inertial focusing.

Abstract

Inertial focusing is the migration of particles in fluid toward equilibrium, where current theory predicts that shear-induced and wall-induced lift forces are balanced. First reported in 1961, this Segre-Silberberg effect is particularly useful for microfluidic isolation of cells and particles. Interestingly, recent work demonstrated particle focusing at high Reynolds numbers that cannot be explained by current theory. In this work, we show that non-monotonous velocity profiles, such as those developed in curved channels, create peripheral velocity maxima around which opposing shear-induced forces dominate over wall effects. Similarly, entry effects amplified in high Reynolds flow produce an equivalent trapping mechanism in short, straight channels. This new focusing mechanism in the developing flow regime enables a 10-fold miniaturization of inertial focusing devices, while our model corrects long-standing misconceptions about the nature of mechanical forces governing inertial focusing in curved channels.