Electric field-induced droplet deflection in microconfined flow

TL;DR

This study investigates how electric fields influence droplet movement in confined microchannels, revealing that confinement and system properties determine migration speed and position, with potential applications in microfluidic control.

Contribution

It provides combined experimental and numerical insights into electric field-induced droplet deflection, emphasizing the role of domain confinement and property-dependent migration behavior.

Findings

Droplet migrates faster in highly confined domains.

Steady-state position is independent of initial droplet location.

Migration direction depends on physical and electrical properties.

Abstract

The deflection of liquid droplet driven through a liquid medium under the combined action of transverse electric field and pressure driven flow has been studied in the present analysis. The present experimental and numerical analysis identifies the domain confinement as a key parameter for transverse migration of the droplets in the presence of a transverse electric field. Notably, the droplet migrates at a faster rate in highly confined domain. The present analysis also illustrates that the droplet can migrate toward the wall electrode or centerline depending on the physical and electrical properties of the system. The achieved steady state transverse position is found independent of its initial positions.