Magneto-hydrodynamics based microfluidics

In microfluidic devices. it is necessary to propel samples and reagents from one part of the device to another, stir fluids, and detect the presence of chemical and biological targets. Given the small size of these devices, the above tasks are far from trivial. Magnetohydro-dynamics (MHD) offers an elegant means to control fluid flow in microdevices without a need for mechanical components. In this paper, we review the theory of MHD for low conductivity fluids and describe various applications of MHD such as fluid pumping, flow control in fluidic networks. fluid stirring and mixing, circular liquid chromatography, thermal reactors. and microcoolers. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.