Topology optimization for microfluidic mixers by a phase field method

TL;DR

This paper develops a phase-field based topology optimization method for designing efficient microfluidic mixers, integrating multiple physics models and validated through numerical simulations in 2D and 3D.

Contribution

It introduces a novel optimization framework combining phase-field modeling with multi-physics equations for microfluidic mixer design.

Findings

Effective elimination of fluid blockage in optimized designs

Validated computational efficiency in 2D and 3D simulations

Demonstrated improved mixing performance through optimized topologies

Abstract

We investigate multi-physical topology optimization for microfluidic mixers employing the phase-field model. The optimization problem is formulated using a modified Ginzburg-Landau free energy functional. To eliminate fluid blockage in microfluidic mixers, we incorporate the coupled Navier-Stokes, convection-diffusion and Poisson-Boltzmann equations. An Allen-Cahn type gradient flow method is proposed based on sensitivity analysis. The algorithm is validated for its computational effectiveness through numerical simulations of benchmark problems in 2D and 3D.