Microchannel inmicrotechnology is a channel with ahydraulic diameter below 1 mm, usually 1–99 μm.[1] Microchannels are used in fluid control (seeMicrofluidics), heat transfer (seeMicro heat exchanger) andcell migration observation.[2] They are more efficient than their 'macro' counterparts, because of a high surface-area to volume ratio yet pose a multitude of challenges due to their small size.[3]
Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) is used as a solution to a wide range of microfluidic devices due to its low cost and easier fabricating methods.[4]Silicon elastomers can be used for situations in which elasticity and deformation is necessary.[5]
Metallic substrates are often chosen for their advantageousmetallic properties, such as withstanding high temperatures and transferring heat faster. They can be subject tocorrosion.[4][6]
Ceramic materials allow for high-temperature operation in comparison to metallic substrates and enable operation in harsh chemical environments in which metals cannot be used.[7]
The concept of the microchannel was proposed for the first time by researchers Tuckerman and Pease of Stanford Electronics Laboratories in 1981.[8] They suggested an effective method for designing microchannels in the laminar and fully developed flow.[9]
Microchannels are extensively used in the pharmaceuticals, and biochemical industries due to short diffusion distances, higher interfacial area, and higher heat/mass transfer rates.[10]
^Salimpour, M. R., Al-Sammarraie, A. T., Forouzandeh, A., & Farzaneh, M. (2019). Constructal design of circular multilayer microchannel heat sinks. Journal of Thermal Science and Engineering Applications, 11(1), 011001.https://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4041196
^Jaiswal, P., Kumar, U., Biswas, K. G.(2021) Liquid-Liquid Flow through Micro Dimensional Reactors: A Review on Hydrodynamics, Mass Transfer, and Reaction Kinetics. Exp. Comput. Multiph. Flow 2021.https://doi.org/10.1007/s42757-020-0092-0
