Figure 2. Computed shear stress distribution.

(A) The rectangular area (9 mm × 4 mm) of the main microchannel was considered the cell culture zone for experimental observation. Due to the tapered geometry near the inlet and outlet ports, higher shear stresses developed in these areas, whereas almost uniform shear stress developed in the cell culture zone. (B) Quantitative analysis showed that over 70% of the cell culture zone had a good uniformity of shear stress (approximately 7% variation) and over 80% of the area had an acceptable uniformity (approximately 20% variation).