Replication Data for: Mixing with viscoelastic waves at low Reynolds numbers

This dataset contains the data for the scientific article titled "Mixing with viscoelastic waves at low Reynolds numbers". Authors are Enrico Turato, Christelle N. Prinz, Jason P. Beech and Jonas O. Tegenfeldt. ABSTRACT Mixing at microfluidic scale is challenging due to the low Reynolds numbers. Without turbulence, mixing replies solely on diffusion, resulting in slow and inefficient mixing. We demonstrate enhanced mixing in a simple Y-shaped microfluidic channel using viscoelastic turbulence in fluids containing macromolecules, such as DNA and polyethylene oxide. We investigated mixing at two distinct scales: the mixing of small molecules and the mixing of polymers. We show how the viscoelastic fluctuations fold the solvent, resulting in enhanced reaction rate between two reagents. We also show how the viscoelastic turbulence enhances the mixing of the macromolecules. We discuss optimization strategies taking into account mixing efficiency, mixing time, mixing length and energy efficiency. Viscoelastic turbulence unlocks rapid mixing in microfluidic channels where conventional turbulence cannot operate, offering a versatile platform for applications ranging from chemical synthesis to biomedical assays.