Migration reversal of soft particles in vertical flows

Abstract

Non-neutrally buoyant soft particles in vertical microflows are investigated. We find, soft particles lighter than the liquid migrate to off-center streamlines in a downward Poiseuille flow (buoyancy-force antiparallel to flow). In contrast, heavy soft particles migrate to the center of the downward (and vanishing) Poiseuille flow. A reversal of the flow direction causes in both cases a reversal of the migration direction, i. e. heavier (lighter) particles migrate away from (to) the center of a parabolic flow profile. Non-neutrally buoyant particles migrate also in a linear shear flow across the parallel streamlines: heavy (light) particles migrate along (antiparallel to) the local shear gradient. This surprising, flow-dependent migration is characterized by simulations and analytical calculations for small particle deformations, confirming our plausible explanation of the effect. This density dependent migration reversal may be useful for separating particles.