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Tuning magnetofluidic spreading in microchannels

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2015 J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 124001

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 Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering

J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001 (11pp) doi:10.1088/0960-1317/25/12/124001

Tuning magnetofluidic spreading in

microchannels
Zhaomeng Wang1, V B Varma1, Z P Wang2 and R V Ramanujan1
1
  School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,
Singapore 639798, Singapore
2
  Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology, 71 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 638075, Singapore

E-mail: ramanujan@ntu.edu.sg

Received 14 June 2015, revised 25 August 2015

Accepted for publication 28 August 2015
Published 19 October 2015

Abstract
Magnetofluidic spreading (MFS) is a phenomenon in which a uniform magnetic field is used
to induce spreading of a ferrofluid core cladded by diamagnetic fluidic streams in a three-
stream channel. Applications of MFS include micromixing, cell sorting and novel microfluidic
lab-on-a-chip design. However, the relative importance of the parameters which govern
MFS is still unclear, leading to non-optimal control of MFS. Hence, in this work, the effect
of various key parameters on MFS was experimentally and numerically studied. Our multi-
physics model, which combines magnetic and fluidic analysis, showed excellent agreement
between theory and experiment. It was found that spreading was mainly due to cross-sectional
convection induced by magnetic forces, and can be enhanced by tuning various parameters.
Smaller flow rate ratio, higher magnetic field, higher core stream or lower cladding stream
dynamic viscosity, and larger magnetic particle size can increase MFS. These results can be
used to tune magnetofluidic spreading in microchannels.

Keywords: microfluidics, magnetofluidic spreading, ferrofluid, micromixer, mathematical

modeling
S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/JMM/25/124001/mmedia

(Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)

1. Introduction
Microfluidics, emerging as a field for the manipulation of
fluids in channels with width size of the order of microns [1],
has gained importance due to its versatile novel applications.
Combining microfluidics with a magnetic fluid gave rise to the
field of micro-magnetofluidics (MMF) [2]. The behavior of
magnetic fluids varies with the size of the magnetic particles
and the type of dispersion medium. MMF can be divided into
three branches based on the particle size [2], i.e. ferrohydro-
dynamics, magnetorheology and magnetophoresis, which are
relevant to a broad spectrum of applications. MMF can be
useful for applications such as micromixing [3, 4], actuation
[5–7], magnetic separation [8, 9], heat transfer enhance-
ment [10, 11], MEMS [12] and optofluidics [13]. MMF is
also the guiding principle behind several biomedical appli-
cations involving nanocytometry–microcytometry [14, 15],
cell sorting [16, 17], cell analysis [18, 19], immobilization of
enzymes [19, 20], MRI [21] and magnetic fluid hyperthermia
[22, 23].
Ferrofluids are magnetic fluids containing super-para-
magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in a carrier fluid, e.g. oil or
water. Ferrofluids can be manipulated by an external magnetic
field [24]. Ferrofluids exhibit a range of novel microfluidic
applications.
Rapid micromixing in the presence of a uniform magnetic
field at low magnetic flux density, due to interfacial instability
achieved by mismatch in magnetization of the fluids has been
studied [4]. Kurtoglu et al [6] experimentally demonstrated
ferrofluid actuation using a rotating magnetic field source to
achieve a magnetic field gradient. Continuous actuation was
obtained, suggesting micropumping applications. Magnetic
sorting of particles and cells in ferrofluids was studied [8,
9, 25]. Zeng et al [8] demonstrated continuous sorting of

0960-1317/15/124001+11$33.00 1 © 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd  Printed in the UK

J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
Figure 1.  Cross-sectional view of the magnetic particle concentration along the flow direction. Ha  =  3.18 kA m−1 and Qratio  =  4−1. The
bottom-left inset shows a photo of our three-inlet channel tested with flowing ferrofluid (dark color) as the core stream.
diamagnetic particles and cells in ferrofluid flow using a pair
of permanent magnets in a straight microchannel. Zhu et al
[25] reported a ferrofluid-based continuous flow method for
the sorting of particles from live cells. Kose et al [26] dem-
onstrated nanocytometry for label free manipulation and
separation of microparticles capable of sorting and focusing
two or more species, with up to 99% separation efficiency.
Magnetic focusing in ferrofluid flow to concentrate poly-
styrene particles and yeast cells was demonstrated by Zeng
et al [27]. A combination of two attracting permanent mag-
nets was used to apply a magnetic field gradient, the effects
of magnet–magnet distance and ferrofluid flow were studied.
The transport of non-magnetic microparticles in ferrofluids
under the non-uniform magnetic field of a permanent magnet
has been reported [28].
These applications require fundamental understanding of
ferrofluid flow behavior at various magnetic fields, magnetic
field orientation, viscosity, particle concentration, particle
size, microflow rates and instability conditions. Modeling and
simulation are also required to clarify the properties of the
ferrofluid flow. Some relevant findings are summarized in the
following paragraphs.
Understanding ferrofluid flow behavior is very impor-
tant for MMF applications of cell/particle sorting, focusing,
nanocytometry and micromixing. Specifically, simulations
and numerical modeling to obtain a quantitative description
of ferrofluid flow, spreading and focusing in the presence
of a uniform magnetic field are helpful to understand MMF
and its advanced applications. Hence, we report numerical
simulations for a quantitative description of magnetofluidic
spreading (MFS) in a uniform magnetic field for a range of
viscosity, microflow rates, particle sizes and magnetic field
strength values.
Usually, a magnetic field gradient is used to drive ferrofluid
flow. But the deployment of large magnetic field gradients in
lab-on-a-chip devices is impractical. Also, when multiple mag-
nets are used in a single chip, their interactions will make the
magnetic field complex. Hence, in this work, the performance
of ferrofluids in uniform magnetic fields was studied. Zhu et
al [29] described the spreading of ferrofluid core with oil as
cladding. They reported experimental results showing stronger
spreading effect for higher magnetic fields and lower flow
rate ratios. They also tried to model the results numerically.
2
Z Wang et al
However, a correction factor of ~1000 had to be applied to the
magnetic forces, and the effects of only a few parameters, like
magnetic field strength and flow rate ratios, were discussed.
Thus, the mechanisms and parameters governing MFS were
not systematically studied in the previous literature.
Previously, we reported a numerical model which was in
very good agreement with our experimental results, without
the use of any correction factor [30]. Four factors were dis-
cussed: applied magnetic field strength, flow rate ratio, flow
rate of core stream and initial particle concentration of the fer-
rofluid core stream. However, the evolution of MFS with time,
the relative importance of the factors governing MFS and the
range of parameters for which a given factor dominates MFS
were not reported.
In this work, the mechanism of MFS is systematically
studied in greater detail. The velocity and pressure profiles
are studied over a range of flow rate ratios and magnetic
field strengths, and it was found that cross-sectional convec-
tion arises from balance between the magnetic force and the
cross-sectional fluid pressure force. The ranges of various
parameters, such as magnetic field strength, fluidic properties
and particle size are systematically discussed. Thus, (1) the
evolution of spreading profile with time, (2) the mechanisms
governing spreading and (3) the range of parameters for which
a given mechanism dominates MFS were investigated. This
work is useful for ferrofluid-based lab-on-chip design and
parameter selection and predictions related to MMF applica-
tions in micro/nano fluidic devices.
2. Methodology
The methodology has been previously reported [30]. Briefly,
thermally bonded poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) micro-
fluidic chips were used for all experiments. Fabricated by a
standard micro milling technique, the micro channel (inset
of figure 1) consists of three inlets connected to a single test
channel, with two outlets, and the middle test channel has
dimensions of 2500 μm (length)  ×  200 μm (width)  ×  30 μm
(height). The middle inlet contains a core stream of water based
ferrofluid, with the remaining two inlets containing the clad-
ding stream of aqueous glycerol solution (inset of figure  1).
A uniform magnetic field was applied to the microfluidic chip
in the 5 cm air gap, generated by a DEXING electromagnet
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
(DXSB-178) system. Imaging of MFS was performed with a
Phantom MIRO high speed camera (M320S). The photos cap-
tured were tuned to a gray color, and the width fraction (WF) of
the core stream was measured based on the gray level. A KDS
Gemini 88 Dual Rate Syringe Pump was used to deliver fluids
and control flow rates. An inlet flow rate of ferrofluid core (FR)
of 0.05 ml h−1 was selected. A flow rate ratio (Qratio) of 4 was
maintained (Qratio  =  cladding flow rate/core flow rate).
3. Geometry
A 3D model was developed for the analysis of magnetofluidic
spreading, with the cross-sectional view shown in figure  1.
The model geometry consists of a rectangular channel with
2500 μm length, 200 μm width and 30 μm height along the
x, y and z directions respectively. The origin was set in the
middle of the core stream inlet surface. The reference width
of the inlet ferrofluid core stream was set to 44 μm (figure 1,
red colored stream near the inlet).
4. Materials
The black-brown colored water-based ferrofluid (EMG707,
FerroTec) has a density (ρff ) of 1100 kg m−3, dynamic vis-
cosity (ηff ) of 3 mPa s, initial volume concentration (i) of 2%
and magnetic susceptibility χff of 1.51 in SI units. Its mag-
netic particles have an average diameter of d p = 2rp  =  10 nm,
where rp is the average radius of the particle. The glycerol–
water mixture which was used as the cladding streams has
a glycerol volume concentration of 0.6, a density (ρdiam) of
1169.4 kg m−3, a dynamic viscosity (ηdiam) of 12.5 mPa s, and
a magnetic susceptibility (χdiam) of −9.5 × 10−6, indicating a
typical diamagnetic material.
The local density (ρmix) of the mixed solutions was simply
determined from the following equation:
ρmix = cρff + (1 − c )ρdiam
(1)
where c is a dimensionless local concentration, c = l /i, and
l is the local volume concentration of magnetic particles in
the ferrofluid and glycerol–water mixture. c has the same
meaning through the whole work. For initial ferrofluid and
glycrol–water streams, c is equal to 1 and 0, respectively.
The local viscosity (ηmix) of the mixed solutions with a
similar nature and comparable viscosities was determined
using a Grunberg–Nissan model for a binary mixture [31]:
ln ηmix = c ⋅ ln ηff + (1 − c ) ⋅ ln ηdiam + c ⋅ (1 − c ) ⋅ G12
(2)
where G12 is a interaction parameter of two fluids, depending
on the composition of the mixture and temperature. Here, G12
was fit to be  −1.44 based on experimental results.
5.  Governing equations
The relevant equations  governing MFS are listed here, and
more details are provided in [30].
Navier–Stokes equation:
3
Z Wang et al
∂
(ρmixu) + u ⋅ ∇ (ρmixu) = − ∇ p + ∇
∂t
(3)
⋅ [ηmix(∇ u + ∇ uT )] + Ff
where ρmix, u, p, ηmix and F f  denote the local density of the
mixed flow, flow velocity vector (u,v,w), pressure, fluid vis-
cosity and external volume force vector, respectively.
Convection–diffusion equation:
∂c
+ ∇ ⋅ (upc ) = D ∇2 c
(4)
∂t
where local particle velocity up = u + udrift and diffusivity
D = kBT /3πηmixd p, with kB as Boltzmann’s constant and T as
absolute temperature.
The drift velocity udrift = Fs /(6πηmixrp ) describes the par-
ticle local slip velocity related to the surrounding flow (u)
within each mesh cell.
The following electrodynamics equations  describe the
magnetic field:
Gauss equation : ∇ ⋅ B = 0
(5)
Constitutive equation : B = μ0 (H + M ) = μ0 (1 + χmix )H
(6)
where µ0 represents the permeability of vacuum, the vector
terms B, H and M indicate the local magnetic flux density,
magnetic field strength and magnetization, respectively.
χmix = χff c is the local susceptibility of the ferrofluid diluted
by glycerol–water solution, and χff is the magnetic suscepti-
bility of initial ferrofluid with c  =  1.
The volume force term F f  (N m−3) in the Navier–Stokes
equation was determined by summing the gravitational force
vector (Fg, in z direction) and the magnetic force vector (Fm):
Ff = Fg + Fm.
(7)
The gravitational force vector Fg, which was usually
ignored in previous literature [29], is considered here:
Fg = ρmixg
(8)
where g  =  −9.81 m s−2 (along the z direction) is the accelera-
tion due to gravity.
Compared with magnetic particles, the magnetic suscepti-
bility of diamagnetic fluid (χdiam of −9.5 × 10−6) is too small
and the magnetic buoyancy forces applied on the magnetic
forces can be ignored. Thus the local volume force vector term
Fm (N m−3) is given as [32, 33]:
χ c
(9) Fm = ff (B ⋅ ∇ B).
µ0
The uniform externally applied magnetic field (Ha) refers to
the uniformity of the magnetic field in air. This field would be
distorted by the non-uniform distribution of magnetic suscep-
tibilities in the three-stream fluid system. Since the magnetic
susceptibility of ferrofluid (1.51) is much higher than that of
the diamagnetic glycerol–water mixture (−9.5 × 10−6), the
magnetic flux densities inside the ferrofluid core is much
higher than the cladding diamagnetic streams, as indicated
by the magnetic field lines in the 2D video file (supporting
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
Figure 2.  Effect of parameters on MFS.
material) (stacks.iop.org/JMM/25/124001/mmedia). This
non-uniform flux density arrangement leads to gradients in
the magnetic field within the channel, resulting in magnetic
forces on the ferrofluid.
6.  Results and discussion
The spreading process is described in figure  1. At the inlet
cross-sectional plane where the three streams mixed, the fer-
rofluid core stream has a rectangular shape. With a magnetic
field applied in the y direction, the ferrofluid core stream con-
tinuously spreads in a direction parallel to the magnetic field,
and spreading near the channel walls is more obvious.
6.1.  Mechanisms that govern MFS
The spreading process can be explained by the combined
effect of convective diffusion and particle drift velocity.
(1) Convective diffusion. Convective diffusion depends on
local fluid velocity (u) and is influenced by: (a) initial
inlet flow conditions (e.g. inlet velocities, fluid viscosities
and channel geometries) and (b) cross-sectional velocity
changes driven by external forces (e.g. gravitational
and magnetic volume forces) applied on the ferrofluid.
The magnetic volume forces on the ferrofluid can be
controlled by the external magnetic field strength and the
ferrofluid magnetic susceptibility. Distortion of the mag-
netic field due to the position of the ferrofluid relative to
the diamagnetic cladding can also contribute to magnetic
volume forces.
(2) Particle drift velocity driven by magnetic forces applied
on each particle depends on magnetic field strength,
particle size, particle’s magnetic susceptibility and fluid
dynamic viscosities.
The various parameters discussed later in this work govern
MFS through the above mechanisms; their relationships are
4
Z Wang et al
summarized in figure  2. Larger MFS can be achieved by
tuning various parameters, e.g. a smaller flow rate ratio, higher
magnetic field, higher core stream or lower cladding stream
dynamic viscosity, and larger size of magnetic particles.
Changing a parameter can influence MFS by more than one
mechanism, e.g. a higher magnetic field would increase MFS
by enhanced cross-sectional convection as well as increased
particle drift velocity.
6.1.1. Cross-sectional convection as a mechanism of spread-
ing.  In the absence of external forces, convective diffusion
mainly depends on inlet flow conditions. With a fixed inlet flow
rate of the ferrofluid core stream (FR) equal to 0.05 ml h−1,
larger Qratio leads to higher inlet flow velocities of the clad-
ding streams and higher average flow velocities of all the fluids
inside the channel. When a magnetic field is applied (Ha  =  3.18
kA m−1), figures 3(a) and (b) compares the conditions for dif-
ferent Qratio values. A higher Qratio of 12 (figure 3(a)) shows a
much higher x component of flow velocities (u) compared with
Qratio  =  4 (figure 3(b)), indicating a shorter average duration
(~2.6 times shorter) for fluid flow across the channel. Thus,
there is less time for ferrofluid spreading. Also, due to the higher
speed of the cladding fluids, the ferrofluid core will be diluted
and its width narrowed due to a hydrodynamic focusing effect
[34]. For a fixed flow rate (FR) of the ferrofluid core, the total
flux of magnetic particles flowing through the inlet surface into
the channel is constant, and only depends on FR and initial vol-
ume concentration (i). This amount of total particle flux through
the inlet surface should be the same as the total flux flowing out
of the channel through the outlet surface. Thus, for higher flow
velocities at the outlet (figure 3(a)), the concentration profile
indicates a diluted and narrower ferrofluid core compared with
figure 3(b). For the same applied magnetic field, a diluted fer-
rofluid core has less magnetization and smaller magnetic forces
applied on the ferrofluid and thus smaller cross-sectional veloc-
ities driven by these magnetic forces. Thus, with higher Qratio,
spreading of the ferrofluid core is suppressed.
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001 Z Wang et al

Figure 3.  The volume concentration of particles (l), magnetization of ferrofluid (M), y component of magnetic volume force (Fy), y
component (v) and x component (u) of fluid velocities, measured at x  =  2.25 mm. The range of color legends for the same category in
(a) and (c) are based on those of group (b). (a) Qratio  =  12, Ha  =  3.18 kA m−1; (b) Qratio  =  4, Ha  =  3.18 kA m−1 [30]; (c) Qratio  =  4,
Ha  =  0A m−1.

Figure 4. Depth-averaged x component of velocity (u) at a cross-sectional plane located at x  =  2.25 mm measured with: (a) Ha  =  3.18 kA m−1,
varying Qratio, and (b) Qratio  =  4, varying Ha.

5
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001 Z Wang et al

Figure 5.  Depth-averaged (a) pressure and (b) pressure and magnetic volume forces at a cross-sectional plane located at x  =  2.25 mm
measured with Qratio increased from 2 to 12, as shown by the arrows. Ha  =  3.18 kA m−1.

For the inlet flow condition of Qratio  =  4, compared with the
case without applied magnetic field (figure 3(c)), the ferrofluids
in figure 3(b) are magnetized due to the external magnetic field,
and the local magnitude of magnetization (M) depends linearly
on local particle concentration (l). The y component of mag-
netic volume force (Fy) is mainly applied on the boundaries
of the ferrofluid core, where the particle concentration varies
along the direction of the magnetic field (i.e. the y direction),
pointing away from high particle concentration regions.
In the y–z cross-sectional plan view, the ferrofluid core
behaves like a liquid piston that is widened due to magnetic
forces, pushing and narrowing the cladding streams. We
observed that ferrofluid core prefers to spread along the top
and bottom walls, continuously deforming its cross-sectional
concentration profile from a rectangular to an hourglass shape
(figures 1 and 3(b)). The magnetized ferrofluid with high mag-
netic susceptibilities can bend the magnetic field lines towards
the ferrofluid core. With a rectangular-shaped cross-sectional
concentration profile, the magnetic field lines in the ferrofluid
appear similar to those of a permanent magnet, and higher
values of B gradient can be obtained near the top and bottom
surfaces of the ferrofluid core. Thus, more particles can be
attracted towards the top and bottom channel walls, causing
more obvious spreading at those positions. Another contrib-
uting factor is that the fluid velocity is lower near the non-slip
channel wall, hence the particles have a longer time to spread.
In the cross-sectional plane view, compared with figure 3(c),
larger spreading of ferrofluid near the walls in figure  3(b)
would also result in the cladding fluids moving towards
the center of the channel (arrows in figure  3(b)), similar to

6
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
Figure 6.  Contour map, with WF values increasing from bottom-right to top-left corner, of WF with varied Ha and Qratio. The experimental
results were also indicated in the contour map as individual points [30].
convective flow. This kind of ‘cross-sectional convection’ is
observed only when a magnetic field is applied and greatly
enhances ferrofluid spreading. It is a result of the unbalanced
forces of magnetic volume forces and fluid pressure forces
(pressure gradient). Interestingly, these cross-sectional fluid
velocities could greatly enhance convective diffusion of the
particles, which is usually difficult in microchannels but is
highly desired in applications like micro mixing where pres-
sure driven laminar flows are present.
Compared with figures  3(c), a smaller x component of
velocity (u) is observed in figure 3(b) with applied magnetic
field. For a constant total particle flux, the concentration pro-
file with applied magnetic field is widened, thus the outlet
velocity has to reduce to maintain the same particle flux
through the outlet surface. The depth (in the z direction) aver-
aged velocities were also studied for a range of magnetic
fields and flow rate ratios as shown in figure 4.
For increasing Qratio and fixed Ha, the total flow rate through
the cross-sectional area and the flow velocities increased
(figure 4(a)).
The shapes of the velocity curves are similar for various
Qratio (figure 4(a)), but will change with increasing Ha. The
solid line in figure 4(b) shows the velocity (u) profile without
magnetic force. Compared with a typical parabolic velocity
profile for a fluid with uniform physical properties, the velocity
of the ferrofluid in the central area is much higher. This is
because the viscosity of the ferrofluid (4.5 mPa s) is lower than
that of the cladding fluid (12.8 mPa s). As a result, the low-
viscosity ferrofluid is narrowed and its velocity is increased
L
based on the Darcy–Weisbach equation  ∆p = 32 D2 ηu, i.e.
fluid velocity u should increase for fluid with lower dynamic
viscosity η to minimize the pressure difference ∆p, where L
and D present pipe length and diameter. Increasing Qratio will
7
Z Wang et al
further narrow ferrofluid width and will further increase its
velocity.
With increasing magnetic field strength, the depth aver-
aged velocities reduce for the ferrofluid core but increase
for the cladding streams (figure 4(b)). For high Ha values
(⩾3.98 kA m−1) the velocity of ferrofluid core is even lower
than the cladding streams. The reason for this has been already
discussed in relation to figures 3(b) and (c).
In the remaining sections, the total pressure p, which
is the sum of static pressure and dynamic pressure
1
( p = pstatic + 2 ρmixu2) will be used. The total pressure was
studied in the cross-sectional plane located at x  =  2.25 mm.
Without a magnetic field, the depth averaged total pres-
sure is almost constant for varying y position (~450.2 Pa for
Qratio  =  4, figure not shown). With an applied magnetic field,
the total pressure is no longer constant along the y axis, but
will be lower for the ferrofluid core compared to the cladding
streams (figure 5(a)) due to the additional magnetic volume
forces (Fm) applied on the ferrofluid.
As shown in figure 5(b), the magnetic volume force Fm,
which points away from the ferrofluid core, will widen the
ferrofluid. This would generate an additional pressure dif-
ference between the ferrofluid core stream and diamagnetic
cladding streams. The y component of pressure force, due
to this pressure difference, equals the pressure gradient
dp
along the y axis (Fp = − dy , with units of N m−3). Fp acts
to oppose Fm. Thus, Fp is the response of the fluid system
to the external magnetic force Fm, and will be less than Fm.
The magnitudes of Fm at this cross-sectional plane are higher
than those of Fp, indicating that the system is not stabilized
and cross-sectional convective spreading is still occurring.
This process will be stabilized only when the two forces are
balanced.
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
Figure 7.  Contour maps of WF for varying initial dynamic
viscosity of ferrofluid (ηff) and (a) varying Ha and constant Qratio of
2, (b) varying Qratio and constant Ha of 2.39 kA m−1. (c) Simulation
results: the WF of the ferrofluid core reduces with increasing
volume concentration of glycerol in the cladding streams, with
varying Ha and Qratio  =  4. The experimental results with a glycerol
volume concentration of 0.6 are also indicated as individual points.
As shown in figure 5(a), the total pressure increases with
increasing Qratio, but the pressure difference between the
ferrofluid core stream and cladding streams decreases with
8
Z Wang et al
increasing Qratio. With high Qratio, the ferrofluid core will be
diluted and narrower (figures 3(a) and (b)), thus magnetic
volume force and pressure force will be reduced and their
peak positions will be narrowed.
6.2.  Parameters that control MFS
In this work, MFS was quantified by the ratio of ferrofluid
width measured at the outlet divided by the width of the
channel, and this ratio was named the width fraction (WF)
of the ferrofluid core. The simulated WF values of the fer-
rofluid core near the outlet was calculated by the expression:
WF = 0.375WFsurface + 0.625WFave, where WFsurface and WFave
are the maximum width fraction value of the ferrofluid core
measured at the outlet surface (l profile in figure 3) and the
depth-averaged (averaged along the z direction) volume con-
centration profile at the outlet, respectively [30]. The values
of 0.375 and 0.625 are fitting parameters between the experi-
mental results and the above relationship.
6.2.1.  Effect of magnetic field strength and flow rate ratio.  The
experimental and simulated WF values were recorded for
varying Ha and Qratio and compared in a contour map (figure
6). As reported earlier [30], it can be concluded that higher
WF values can be obtained at regions of either lower Qratio or
higher Ha values.
6.2.2. Effect of dynamic viscosity of fluids.  The dynamic
viscosity effect was studied by varying the viscosities of the
ferrofluid core or glycerol–water cladding streams. From fig-
ures  7(a) and (b), a higher WF was observed for higher fer-
rofluid dynamic viscosities. On the other hand, for higher
glycerol concentration in the glycerol–water mixture, the
dynamic viscosity of the inlet cladding streams will increase
[35], and this would suppress the spreading of the ferrofluid
(figure 7(c)) core stream. The above results were consistent
with the Darcy–Weisbach equation, as previously discussed.
Excellent agreement was seen between these modeling results
and the experimental data.
6.2.3. Particle size effect.  As shown in figure 8(a), the larger
size particle and/or the higher the magnetic fields, the larger the
WF value. As can be seen in figure 8(b), for Qratio  =  4, the particle
concentration profiles for two particles sizes (10 nm or 500 nm)
without a magnetic field are the same and there is almost no
spreading, indicating that particle diffusion effects for larger par-
ticles (greater than or equal to 10 nm) can be ignored. Spreading
occurs when a magnetic field is applied (3.18 kA m−1); spread-
ing is much more for larger particles. Similar results are also
obtained for the case of Qratio of 12 (figure 8(b)).
Since the initial volume concentration and suscepti-
bility of particles in the inlet ferrofluid stream are fixed, the
magnetic volume force applied on the ferrofluid should be
the same for the same concentration profile. The y compo-
nent of velocity (v) and cross-sectional convection will not
change with varying particle diameter if the same concentra-
tion profile is assumed. The only factor that changes is the
increase in particle drift velocities (figure 8(c)). For larger
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001 Z Wang et al

Figure 8.  (a) contour map of WF with varied dp and Ha, with Qratio  =  4. The experimental results for dp  =  10 nm were also indicated as
individual points. (b) shows the cross-sectional view of particle volume concentration profile located at x  =  2.25 mm with varied dp, Ha and
Qratio. (c) shows the y component of particle drift velocity with varied particle diameter.

particle sizes, the magnetic force applied on each particle
and the local drift velocity would change as the cube and
the square of the particle size, respectively. The drift veloci-
ties are directed away from the ferrofluid core (figure 8(c)),
spreading the particles.
It is clear that the hourglass shaped spreading of ferrofluid
core shown in figure 3(b) enhances the contact area of the core
and cladding streams. This is very useful for lab-on-a-chip
applications like micro mixing and micro chemical reac-
tors, where the mixing level or reaction speeds of two fluids

9
J. Micromech. Microeng. 25 (2015) 124001
depends on their contact area, which can be controlled by the
various parameters discussed in this paper.
Our multi-physics model, which combines magnetic and flu-
idic analysis without correction factors, considers the mechanisms
that causes the MFS (figure 2), and fit well with experimental
results. Thus our work and model can be useful for various novel
lab-on-a-chip applications, e.g. micromixers or micro chemical
reactors, where control of fluid–fluid interfaces is desired.
7. Summary
The tuning of magnetofluidic spreading (MFS) by various
parameters was experimentally and numerically studied. The
modeling results fit very well with the experimental results.
The spreading process of the ferrofluid was described in
detail. Spreading was mainly due to cross-sectional convec-
tion induced by magnetic forces. The magnetic force would
generate an additional pressure force due to the pressure
difference between the ferrofluid core and cladding stream.
Cross-sectional convective spreading would occur until these
two forces balanced. This cross-sectional convection can
greatly enhance convective diffusion of the particles, which
is usually difficult in microchannels but is highly desired
in applications like micro mixing in laminar flows. Various
parameters that govern MFS were studied. Greater spreading
of the ferrofluid core can be obtained by larger magnetic field
or smaller flow rate ratio. The stream with higher viscosity
would exhibit relatively wider width. For larger particles, the
drift velocity becomes important and facilitates spreading.
This work and model is significant and useful for optimiza-
tion of integrated lab-on-a-chip design, parameter selection
and outcome predictions related to micro-magnetofluidics
applications in micro/nano fluidic devices.
Acknowledgment
The authors are grateful to the Science and Engineering
Research Council (SERC), Singapore for financial support for
this work through ASTAR PSF 2012 Project: 1321202078.
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