• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.577-585
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• 2015

We fabricated multi-scale such as macro-, micro-, and multi-scale wrinkles by using repetitive volume dividing (RVD) method and thermal curing process. Also wrinkle surface was modified with coating of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM). We measured the contact angle of each wrinkled surface, and observed the behavior of droplets on sloping surface. Through experimental study, we found out that the contact angle was much higher in case of multi-scale and SAM coated wrinkles. And micro-scale wrinkle showed a high contact angle comparing with that of macro-scale wrinkle. Dynamic behaviors of a water droplet like sliding velocity on diverse wrinkled surfaces were dependent on their static contact angles. These results showed that hydro-dynamic characteristics were changed depending on the wrinkle structure and the material forming the wrinkle. These dynamic characteristics can be utilized in bio-chip, microfluidics, and many others in order to control easily chemical reactivity.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.6 s.237
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• pp.904-912
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• 2005

The flow in a microchannel is usually characterized as a low Reynolds number (Re) so that good mixing is quite difficult to be achieved. In this regard, we developed a novel chaotic micromixer, named Barrier Embedded Kenics Micromixer (BEKM). In the BEKM, the higher level of chaotic mixing can be achieved by combining two general chaotic mixing mechanisms: (i) splitting/reorientation by helical elements inside the microchannel and (ii) stretching/folding via periodically located barriers on the channel wall. The fully three-dimensional geometry of BEKM was realized by a micro-stereolithography technology, in this study, along with a Kenics micromixer and a circular T-pipe. Mixing performances of three micromixers were experimentally characterized in terms of an average mixing color intensity of phenolphthalein. Experimental results show that BEKM has better mixing performance than other two micromixers. Chaotic mixing mechanism, proposed in this study, could be integrated as a mixing component with Micro-Total-Analysis-System, Lab-on-a-chip and so on.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.355-361
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• 2012

Though a micro pump is a crucial element in miniaturized bio-fluidic systems or drug delivery systems, it has some intrinsic disadvantages such as backward flow, pulsation of flow, low repeatability and producibility, and high cost. To overcome these limitation, a PZT disc actuated micro pump including a novel ring-shaped multi-flap check valve is introduced. To enhance the performance of the micro pump, the static behaviour of flap valve module and the micro fluidic behavior of fluids are numerically modelled and analyzed. As results of the numerical analysis, the optimal dimension and configuration of the ring-shaped multi flap valve are $1{\times}0.05$ mm and 2 (inlet side)${\times}1$ (outlet side) type. The obtained maximum flow rates and flow resolution are about 90 ml/min and 30 ${\mu}l$/stroke respectively.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1844-1852
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• 2001

Recent developments in microfluidic devices based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technique find many practical applications, which include electronic chip cooling devices, power MEMS devices, micro sensors, and bio-medical devices among others. For the design of such micro devices, flows characteristics inside a microchannel have to be clarified which exhibit somewhat different characteristics compared to conventional flows in a macrochannel. In the present study microchannels of various hydraulic diameters are fabricated on a silicon wafer to study the pressure drop characteristics. The effect of abrupt contraction and expansion is also studied. It is found from the results that the friction factor in a straight microchannel is about 15% higher than that in a conventional macrochannel, and the loss coefficients in abrupt expansion and contraction are about 10% higher than that obtained through conventional flow analysis.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2007

The aggregation characteristics of red blood cells (RBCs) are known as important factors in the microvascular flow system, and increased RBC aggregation has been observed in various pathological diseases, such as thrombosis and myocardial infarction. This paper describes a simple microfluidic device for measuring the RBC aggregation by integrating a microfluidic slit rheometry and laser-backscattering technique. While a decreasing-pressure mechanism was applied to the microfluidic rheometry, a syllectogram (the light intensity versus time) showed an initial increase and a peak caused by the high shear stress-induced disaggregation, immediately followed by a decrease in the light intensity due to RBC aggregation. The critical shear stress (CST) corresponding to the peak intensity was examined as a new index of the RBC aggregation characteristics. The CST of RBCs increased with increasing aggregation-dominating protein (fibrinogen) in the blood plasma. The essential feature of this design was the combination of the rheometric-optic characterization of RBC aggregation with a microfluidic chip, which may potentially allow cell aggregation measurements to be easily carried out in a clinical setting.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.739-743
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• 2008

Microfluidic device can be applied in a wide range of chemical and biological technology. In this paper, ceramic-based T-type passive mixers for microfluidic applications were fabricated by LTCC process combined with thick film photolithography. The base ceramic material in thick film was amorphous cordierite $((Mg,Ca)_2Al_4Si_5O_{18})$ and photoimageable polymers were added to give a photosensitivity. Two types of passive mixer, which showed the channel width of 1.0 mm and $200{\mu}m$, respectively, were designed considering mixing efficiency in the channel and their microfluidic properties were discussed in detail.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.389-394
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• 2014

In this paper, we report a new manufacturing method for friction reduction using micro-AAJ (abrasive air-jet) machining. AAJ machining employs compressed air to accelerate a jet of high-speed particles to mechanically machine features, including micro-channels and micro-holes, into glass, metal, or polymer substrates for use in microfluidics, MEMS (micro electromechanical systems). And we introduce the micro-AAJ machining system, which consists of a micro-AAJ nozzle and a five-axis positioning system. Various micro-AAJ nozzles can be used, depending on the required surface structure, and three-dimensional machining is possible. We machined samples under six different conditions and describe machining results obtained while using it. We also measured the coefficient of friction of micro-textured surfaces. We report the coefficient of friction of micro-textured surfaces patterned using micro-AAJ machining for engine piston ring.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.409-425
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• 2014

Converging flows of a gas and a liquid at a microchannel cross junction, under proper conditions, can result in the formation of periodic, dispersed microslugs. This microslug formation phenomenon has been proposed as the basis for a fuel injection system in a novel, 'discrete' monopropellant microthruster designed for use in next-generation miniaturized satellites. Previous experimental studies demonstrated the ability to generate fuel slugs with characteristics commensurate with the intended application during steady-state operation. In this work, numerical and experimental techniques are used to study the effect of valve actuation on slug characteristics, and the results are used to compare with equivalent steady-state slugs. Computational simulations of a valve with a 1 ms valve-actuation cycle show that as the ratio of the response time of the valve to the fully open time is increased, transient effects can increase slug length by up to 17%. The simulations also demonstrate that the effect of the valve is largely independent of surface tension coefficient, which is the thermophysical parameter most responsible for slug formation characteristics. Flow visualization experiments performed using a miniature valve with a 20 ms response time showed less than a 1% change in the length of slugs formed during the actuation cycle. The results of this study indicate that impulse bit and thrust calculations can discount transient effects for slower valves, but as valve technology improves transient effects may become more significant.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 2012

In this paper, microchannels for the flow control of two fluids with different volumes have been designed, fabricated, and verified. The dimensions of the inlets were determined based on the Stokes equation in order to realize that the flow of the two fluids meet at the same time, and to maintain a certain configuration when the flows passed through each inlet channel. The designed microchannels were confirmed using computational fluid dynamics simulation for the incompressible, Newtonian, and transient flows. In addition, a microfluidic system containing the designed microchannels was fabricated by soft lithography, and the pressure-driven flows of the two fluids were characterized by microfluidic experiments.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.31 no.2 s.257
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• pp.159-166
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• 2007

Mixing between two or more reagents is one of important processes in biochemical microfluidics. In efficient micromixer design, it is essential to analyze flow pattern and evaluate mixing efficiency with good precision. In this work, mixing efficiency for Y-channel micromixer is measured by fluorescence intensity using LIF(Laser Induced Fluorescence) Confocal Microscope. The Y-channel micromixers are fabricated with polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) and those are bonded to glass plate through Plasma bonding. Nile Blue A is injected into the micromixer as a fluorescence dye for measuring of fluorescence intensity by He/Ne laser. For visualization of the flow pattern, dynamic image capturing is carried out using CAM scope. For the comparison with computer simulation, modified SIMPLE algorithm for incompressible flow equation is solved for the same geometry as in the experiment. Throughout the experiments and computer simulation, accurate mixing efficiency evaluation process for a PDMS Y-channel micromixer is established.