Periodic input flows tuning nonlinear two-phase dynamics in a snake microchannel

In this experimental study, the effects on two-phase flow dynamics in a microfluidic snake channel due to periodic forcing were considered. Time series analysis was exploited to investigate on the obtained bubbles’ flow considering two aspects: the role of driven frequency through Fourier analysis and the nonlinear behavior through the evaluation of d-infinite and Largest Lyapunov exponent. Phase diagrams summarize the results: the two nonlinear parameters are plotted versus the air fraction and the frequency of the input flow rates. The identified relation maps allow the classification of the flow dynamics, opening the way for the control of bubble flow through signal analysis.