Discussion: Microfluidic Channel Simulation and
Visualization
1. Overview of the Code Functionality
The MATLAB code performs a full simulation of fluid and particle dynamics inside a mi-
crofluidic channel. The core objective is to evaluate how different channel topologies affect
particle separation under laminar flow conditions.
The simulation does not perform design optimization directly but serves as the evaluation
engine for optimized layouts created externally.
2. Purpose of Each Subplot in the Unified Figure
Subplot Description Scientific Role
DigitChess Layout Binary matrix for channel geom- Shows fluid vs. solid
etry zones
Viscosity Map Color-coded viscosity field High viscosity zones
block flow
Pressure Field Solution of pressure from Drives fluid movement
Navier–Stokes
Velocity Quiver Flow vectors from velocity field Visualizes direc-
tion/magnitude
Streamlines Continuous flow paths Predicts particle paths
Tracer Particle Mo- Red dots moving over time Simulates real particle
tion movement
Numerical Results Outlet counts, objective, Re Evaluates sorting perfor-
Panel mance
3. Simulation Workflow
1. Define the geometry as a grid with solid and fluid zones.
2. Solve the steady-state incompressible Navier-Stokes equations.
3. Compute velocity field from the pressure distribution.
4. Inject red tracer particles at the inlet.
5. Update particle positions using local velocity vectors.
6. Track which outlet particles reach.
1
7. Print and visualize numerical metrics.
4. Scientific Interpretation of Results
Objective (ϕ): Measures sorting efficiency. Ideal = 0.
Outlet counts: High counts in correct outlets indicate good separation.
ReC: Channel Reynolds number, should remain < 2000 for laminar flow.
ReP: Particle Reynolds number, typically < 1.
5. Connection to Optimization File
The simulation script serves as the evaluation block in the optimization loop discussed in
the [Link] and [Link]. It:
Evaluates each candidate design based on sorting performance.
Provides feedback (objective function) to update topology.
Computes velocity field needed for advection modeling.
6. Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
Full visualization in one figure.
Physics-based pressure and flow modeling.
Real-time animated flow for visual understanding.
Limitations:
Design is fixed (not optimized live).
No explicit wall collision handling.
No advection-diffusion PDE, just tracer particles.
7. Key Points to Present
This code evaluates how well a given microfluidic topology separates particles.
It uses finite difference to solve fluid flow and then simulates particle behavior.
Results (objective, Re, outlet counts) show separation quality.
In the full project, this code is used as the physical evaluator during optimization.