Using flow obstructions in electro-osmotic systems for fluid flow enhancement

A numerical investigation of Electro-Osmotic Flow (EOF) in plain channels and channels with obstructions is presented. The aim of the work is to analyse fluid flow enhancement in EO systems due to flow obstructions. The results show that the introduction of flow obstructions allows to increase the range of channel width in which EOF is effective, and to produce higher fluid flow rates than those corresponding to plain channels. The results also show that beyond a channel width of 100μm, EOF driven systems are possible only if flow obstructions are employed.