Method for mixing fluid streams, microfluidic mixer and microfluidic chip utilizing same

A microfluidic mixer for mixing fluid streams within a combined fluid stream having a concentration profile, the mixer comprising:

• a plurality of separate microfluidic channels for splitting the combined fluid stream into separate fluid streams, rotating the separate fluid streams and recombining the separate fluid streams to obtain a recombined fluid stream, wherein the microfluidic channels rotate the fluid streams relative to each other so that the concentration profile is also relatively rotated wherein the concentration profile of the recombined fluid stream is folded over so that the concentration gradient is increased.

A microfluidic chip comprising:

• a substrate;
• and
• a microfluidic mixer supported on the substrate for mixing fluid streams within a combined fluid stream having a concentration profile, the mixer including a plurality of separate microfluidic channels for splitting the combined fluid stream into separate fluid streams, rotating the separate fluid streams relative to each other so that the concentration profile is also relatively rotated and recombining the separate fluid streams to obtain a recombined fluid stream having a folded over concentration profile and an increased concentration gradient.