Maximizing mixing and alignment of orientable particles for reaction enhancement

We present a model for the evolution of concentrations of orientable species undergoing a collisional binary reaction and examine the dependence of the concentration of the reaction product on flow parameters in Poiseuille flow. Interesting patterns of concentration are obtained depending on parameters. We use the model to investigate the reaction in a microfluidic device known as the shear superposition micromixer. Simulation results over a range of Péclet, Damköhler, and rotational Péclet numbers indicate that this micromixer is well suited to enhance the rate of reaction via the mechanism of simultaneous mixing and alignment of the orientable species. Connections to biological systems are discussed.