Figure 3.

(a) Schematic illustration of the micro-channel structure used for particle separation in this work. A filter upstream of the serpentine channel prevents the channel from being blocked by large debris. A trifurcation outlet system with two symmetrical side branches merged together as a single outlet #2 was used. (b) Superimposed fluorescent images illustrating the distribution and position of the 10-μm (pseudo-colored green) and 3-μm (pseudo-colored red) particles in different periods of serpentine channel. (c) (i) Fluorescent images of the particle mixture at the outlet of the serpentine channel, and (ii) its cross sectional fluorescence intensity profile presents differential equilibrium positions for binary particles. (iii) Pictures of particles suspension before and after processing indicate an effective particle separation in the serpentine channel.