A micro-resolution particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) technique for flow visualization in microspace is presented here. The micro-PIV system was constructed through adding an epi-fluorescence microscope, improving the light source and choosing suitable tracing particle. According to smaller characteristic length of the flow in microscale and higher precision prolepsis, an image process technique based on cross correlation algorithm was conducted. To eliminate the main error caused by Brown motion of tracer particle, an approach by averaging the velocities of the ensemble particles in same interrogation plot was brought forward. Micro-PIV measure-ments of three typical flows (in a micromixer, near barriers and in a micro-jet) were carried out. The experimental results show that the micro-PIV system is suitable to both steady and unsteady flow in microscale. It is helpful to design micro-devices and analysis on data collected from such micro-devices.

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