Flow analysis of microfluidic-based acoustic sensor

This work studied the behaviour of two different material candidates to be used as liquid for a microfluidic-based acoustic sensor. These liquid will be used as an electrolyte where the capacitive sensing mechanism is adopted. ANSYS was used to simulate the laminar flow of these materials inside the device. From the simulation, flow characteristics such as pressure distribution, velocity profile and flow response were obtained. Pressure distribution plot exposed the maximum pressure region where the flow was also maximum. The region was found to occur just at the starting point of the microchannel. Velocity profile indicated the velocity contour plot and flow direction based on the difference in pressure (represent the acoustic pressure) between the sensing membrane and the microchannel end. Finally, from the flow response, the performance of two different liquids was obtained and analysed. In terms of performance response to the applied pressure, Methanol showed a better response with approximately 18 times higher than Propylene Carbonate.