Micro Counter-current Flow System for Highly Efficient Extraction

We demonstrated micro counter-current flow in a glass microchip utilizing surface modification patterning method to control surface tension. In order to visualize the micro counter-current flow, fluorescent microparticle dispersion solutions were observed by fluorescence microscopy. When the flow volume ratio of water and organic solution was changed, the switching point of flow direction was observed to shift across the liquid / liquid interface. As an important application, we realized micro counter-current flow extraction by utilizing micro counter-current flow with high recovery efficiency. Micro counter-current flow is effective in micro chemical process and interesting as fundamental hydrodynamics. Keyword: micro fluid& solvent extraction, surface modification and liquid I liquid interface