Study of Ultrasonically-Induced Fluid Flows Using Micro-Particle Image Velocimetry

This paper describes our recently started research into the flow phenomena that occur in microchannels and microcavities during ultrasonic agitation. With micro-particle image velocimetry we have seen rapidly changing flows together with the occurrence of cavitation events. Both these processes suggest that very high shear forces are present in the solution in combination with rapidly changing pressure fluctuations. The research presented here is of importance for the design of ultrasonic mixers and ultrasonic cell lysis devices.