Optimization of zeta potential profile for low-dispersion flows in microchannel turns Original Research Article

A method is developed to determine the optimal profile of zeta potential around U turns such that the turn-induced spreading of a solute band is minimized. After proposing a velocity profile that eliminates the racetrack effect, a conjugate gradient method is adopted to find the zeta potential profile to induce the required velocity. The optimal profiles of zeta potential seem to be insensitive to the relevant parameters of electroosmotic flows. It is shown that a reduction of variance two orders of magnitude below that of a comparable turn with uniform zeta potential is easily attained by adopting the optimal profile of zeta potential, which can be realized using a UV excimer laser or external voltage control.