To stick or not to stick: Predicting particle capture on a surface in a microchannel

Particle adhesion on a surface is a central mechanism in microsystems, from labeled nano/micro-particle adhesion on a functional surface to wall fouling. We show the significant effect of the coupling of both diffusion and inertial hydrodynamics effects at small Reynolds number, leading to a continuum from total adhesion up to no adhesion. Using a rational approach including experiments, numerical simulations and modeling, we unify in a new model the adhesion problem by introducing a new dimensionless number involving only hydrodynamics parameters. We show that adhesion can be switched on or off using only geometrical and fluidic parameters. © 2020 CBMS-0001