Abstract:

Using a microfluidics platform with continuously circulating fluidics system, a micro-scale crude oil droplet is pinned in a microfluidic channel and exposed to a flowing bacteria suspension cultured in situ for up to weeks at a time. Every 10 min to 1 hour, a high speed camera integrated with differential interference microscopy captures images at high frame rate at several locations to record the bacteria flowing toward the droplet (upstream), flowing past the stationary droplet, flowing past any droplet-attached aggregate/streamer structures/tails, and flowing downstream. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) - assisted particle tracking velocimetry (PTV) analysis using the bacteria as tracer particles over the entire captured region yields the full velocity field. These comprehensive velocity measurements will allow for detailed flow analysis and drag calculation to determine the hydrodynamical impacts of bacteria aggregations on micro scale oil droplets.

Suggested Citation:

Sheng, Jian and Andrew White. 2020. Full flow field measurements of bacteria flowing past a stationary micro-scale crude oil droplet with attached microbial aggregates and streamers. Distributed by: GRIIDC, Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. doi:10.7266/n7-arn9-9g42

Purpose:

To measure the flow field of a flowing bacteria through a stationary microdroplet of oil.

Data Parameters and Units:

This dataset contains both time lapse and high-speed micrographs of bacteria flowing past a stationary micro-scale crude oil droplet.

Methods:

Every 10 min to 1 hour, a high speed camera integrated with differential interference microscopy captures images at high frame rate at several locations to record the bacteria flowing toward the droplet (upstream), flowing past the stationary droplet, flowing past any droplet - attached aggregate/streamer structures/tails, and flowing downstream.

Individual Files: