Figure 5.

Varying the suction channel length to improve the trapping efficiency. (a) 2D CAD drawings outlining the evaluated designs. (b) Velocity contour (m/s) across the design featuring suction channels length reduced to 0 mm. Simulation was performed at the vertical middle plane when perfused at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. Note a considerable flow passing through the suction channels with the decreased length. Due to the computational limitations, only first six rows were simulated. (c) Variations of cross pressure gradient at different traps of the designs with suction channel lengths of 0 and 0.5 mm, as obtained by the pressure balance model. Note that considerable improvement in suction across all traps as compared to the original design featuring suction channels of 0.5 mm long. Black stars refer to the regions with improvement in the simulated trapping efficiency. (d) Experimental validation of improved trapping due to suction channel shortening. Note that 100% trapping efficiency is achieved across the whole array following the implementation of new design geometry. Also note the excellent agreement between CFD simulations and experimental validation data as shown in (b) and (c). (e) Comparative representation of results from embryo docking experiments performed at a volumetric flow rate of 1 ml/min.