Universal self-scalings in a micro-co-flowing

TL;DR

This paper discovers universal self-scaling laws governing liquid cell detachment in tapered micro-channels across various flow regimes, unifying behaviors previously thought to be regime-specific.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of universal self-scalings in micro-co-flowing, supported by machine learning classification, unifying different flow regimes under a common self-similarity framework.

Findings

Identifies universal scalings across flow regimes

Machine learning classifies flow regimes with Weber and Capillary numbers

Liquid cell sizes and frequencies follow the same law across regimes

Abstract

On hypothesis of self-scaling co-flows in tapered rectanglar PMMA micro-channels for producing mono-dispersed liquid cells, universal scalings through all liquid detaching regimes are found under a self-similarity frame. Pan-dripping and Pan-jetting regimes are calculated clearly to border at the Weber number approximately $1$ and the capillary number approximately $0.28$ by machine learning classification. The sizes, as well as detaching frequencies, of liquid cells in different flow regimes behave at the same manner and submit to the same law, and such highly consistent behaviors breaking through physical barriers among flow regimes have never been reported.