FIG. 1.

The physics of the Dean flow demonstrated in a curved channel from top-view as well as cross-sectional views at 0°, 90°, and 180°. (a) Two pseudoparticles, which reveal the fluid flow, are located near the inner and outer wall of the channel at 0°. (b) Following the Dean vortices, the pseudoparticles reach the centre of the channel at 90°. (c) At 180°, the pseudoparticles reach the opposite wall of the channel during a Dean half-cycle. Such a flow pattern, which is mostly independent of Re, can be exploited to induce chaotic mixing in a micromixer.