BAW Sensor Passive Mixing Structures

The patent introduces porous mixing structures within the microfluidic channel that create controlled turbulence and enhance mixing without requiring complex external mixing mechanisms. These porous elements allow fluid to pass through while generating chaotic advection patterns that improve analyte distribution consistency.

The channel is segmented into multiple flow paths by introducing mixing elements such as protrusions, recesses, or baffles that divide and recombine the laminar flow. This segmentation creates multiple mixing zones that enhance analyte distribution while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure.

The patent incorporates periodic mixing structures along the flow path that create alternating flow patterns. These periodic elements generate repeated cycles of fluid splitting and recombination, enhancing mixing efficiency and accelerating analyte binding rates without requiring complex active mixing mechanisms.

The mixing structures are designed to dynamically interact with the flowing fluid, creating time-varying flow patterns that enhance mixing. The geometry of protrusions and recesses is optimized to generate chaotic advection that improves mass transfer and binding kinetics while maintaining structural simplicity.

The patent introduces asymmetric mixing structures such as angled protrusions or non-symmetric baffles that create uneven flow distribution and enhance mixing. The asymmetric geometry generates vortices and chaotic flow patterns that prevent analyte stratification while maintaining compatibility with standard fabrication processes.

The patent employs curved or rounded mixing elements rather than sharp angular features. The curved surfaces of protrusions or recesses create gentler flow disturbances that promote mixing while being easier to manufacture using conventional micromachining techniques. The curvature helps to eliminate dead zones and improve fluid composition homogeneity.