Clogging of Colloidal Particles in a Microchannel using an Electro-Osmotic Micropump

Abstract

When a mixture of colloidal particles and a high salt concentration flow through a microchannel at one side via an electro-osmotic micropump, and a low salt concentration flows into the channel from the other side. A clog of particles might grow inside the channel at the low salt side. I try to determine how far such a clog grows into the channel for different salt concentrations and potentials. Using Python, I will also determine the flow velocity of the particles and electrical current through the channel. Under the conditions I probe, I did not observe clogging systematically but laid a good foundation for further research on this topic.