Microfluidic apparatuses and methods of use thereof in mixing

A microfluidic device comprising:

• a first fluidic input channel and a second fluidic input channel, wherein the first and second fluidic input channels converge to a fluidic intersection channel having width and a depth extending from a top surface to a first bottom surface;
• a first mixing chamber having a depth extending from the top surface to a second bottom surface, a width extending from a first side to a second side, and a length, wherein the depth of the first mixing chamber is greater than the depth of the fluidic intersection channel and the width of the first mixing chamber is greater than the width of the fluidic intersection channel, and wherein the first mixing chamber is fluidly connected to the fluidic intersection channel at the top surface and proximate the first side;
• and
• an outlet channel, wherein the outlet channel is fluidly connected to the first mixing chamber at the top surface and proximate the second side of the first mixing chamber.

A microfluidic mixing apparatus comprising:

• a mixing chamber comprising a base defining a bottom surface, side walls, and an upper surface enclosing the mixing chamber;
• a mixing inlet channel comprising an opening into the mixing chamber at a first side wall of the mixing chamber;
• and
• a mixing outlet channel comprising an opening into the mixing chamber at a second side wall of the mixing chamber;
• wherein a vertical dimension of the mixing chamber is larger than a vertical dimension of the mixing inlet channel and is larger than a vertical dimension of the mixing outlet channel.

A microfluidic apparatus comprising cascading microfluidic mixers, wherein each of the cascading microfluidic mixers comprises:

• a mixing chamber comprising a base defining a bottom surface, side walls, and an upper surface;
• a mixing inlet channel comprising an opening into the mixing chamber at a first side wall of the mixing chamber,
• a mixing outlet channel comprising an opening into the mixing chamber at a second side wall of the mixing chamber,
• wherein a vertical dimension of the mixing chamber is larger than a vertical dimension of the mixing inlet channel and is larger than a vertical dimension of the mixing outlet channel;
• and
• wherein cascading microfluidic mixers are connected to one another in a series so that the mixing inlet channel of each of the cascading microfluidic mixers after a first microfluidic mixer in the series is connected to the mixing outlet of a prior microfluidic mixer in the series.