A conceptual microchannel system design methodology incorporating axiomatic design theory for size-controllable monodispersed microsphere generation by a liquid chopper utilizing a PZT actuator

This paper proposes a design methodology for conceptual design of microchannel systems by applying axiomatic design theory (ADT). The microchannel system concerned, as an example, in this paper is for the purpose of preparing uniform microspheres based on the phase separation principle. There are two general design goals for this system: controllability of the size of microspheres and uniformity or narrow size distribution of microspheres. The conventional microchannel system designs in literature are found to be the so-called ‘coupled design’, which is regarded as a poor design, according to ADT. This paper proposes a ‘decoupled design’ process, which is considered better than a ‘coupled design’ process according to ADT. This paper demonstrates the effectiveness of such a ‘decoupled design’ process with a new microchannel system with an embedded liquid chopper utilizing a PZT actuator by simulation.