3D magnetic resonance velocimetry for the characterization of hydrodynamics in microdevices: Application to micromixers and comparison with CFD simulations

3D velocity field measurements in an arrow-type micromixer are performed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) imaging methods. A specific device has been set up including a home-made radiofrequency milli-coil matching the geometry of manufactured micromixer, allowing improvement signal-to-noise ratio by factor 7 comparing to standard commercial hardware. The NMR images obtained compared computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. very good agreement between numerical data and experimental revealed, on one hand, capacity developed method perform detailed accurate study phenomena occurring microstructured system other great impact small manufacturing defects hydrodynamics thus mixing performances.