Exact Solution for Viscoelastic Flow in Pipe and Experimental Validation

The development of analytical methods for viscoelastic fluid flows is challenging. Currently, this problem has been solved for particular cases of multimode differential rheological equations of media state (Giesekus, the exponential form of Phan-Tien-Tanner, eXtended Pom-Pom). We propose a parametric method that yields solutions without additional assumptions. The method is based on the parametric representation of the unknown velocity functions and the stress tensor components as a function of coordinate. Experimental flow visualization based on the SIV (smoke image velocimetry) method was carried out to confirm the obtained results. Compared to the Giesekus model, the experimental data are best predicted by the eXtended Pom-Pom model.

Agitation of Complex Fluids in Cylindrical Vessels by Newly Designed Anchor Impellers

The fluid flows and power consumption in a vessel stirred by anchor impellers are investigated in this paper. The case of rheologically complex fluids modeled by the Bingham-Papanastasiou model is considered. New modifications in the design of the classical anchor impeller are introduced. A horizontal blade is added to the standard geometry of the anchor, and the effect of its inclination angle (α) is explored. Four geometrical configurations are realized, namely: α = 0°, 20°, 40°, and 60°. The effects of the number of added horizontal blades, Reynolds number, and Bingham number are also examined. The obtained findings reveal that the most efficient impeller design is that with (case 4) arm blades inclined by 60°.This case allowed the most expansive cavern size with enhanced shearing in the whole vessel volume. The effect of adding second horizontal arm blades (with 60°) gave better hydrodynamic performance only with a slight increase in power consumption. A significant impact of Bingham number (Bn) was observed, where Bn = 5 allowed obtaining the lowest power input and most expansive well-stirred region.

Analytical Solution for Impact of Caputo-Fabrizio Fractional Derivative on MHD Casson Fluid with Thermal Radiation and Chemical Reaction Effects

Fractional derivatives have been proven to showcase a spectrum of solutions that is useful in the fields of engineering, medical, and manufacturing sciences. Studies on the application of fractional derivatives on fluid flow are relatively new, especially in analytical studies. Thus, geometrical representations for fractional derivatives in the mechanics of fluid flows are yet to be discovered. Nonetheless, theoretical studies will be useful in facilitating future experimental studies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to showcase an analytical solution on the impact of the Caputo-Fabrizio fractional derivative for a magnethohydrodynamic (MHD) Casson fluid flow with thermal radiation and chemical reaction. Analytical solutions are obtained via Laplace transform through compound functions. The obtained solutions are first verified, then analysed. It is observed from the study that variations in the fractional derivative parameter, α, exhibits a transitional behaviour of fluid between unsteady state and steady state. Numerical analyses on skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number were also analysed. Behaviour of these three properties were in agreement of that from past literature.

How inertial lift affects the dynamics of a microswimmer in Poiseuille flow

The transport of motile microorganisms is strongly influenced by fluid flows that are ubiquitous in biological environments. Here we demonstrate the impact of fluid inertia. We analyze the dynamics of a microswimmer in pressure-driven Poiseuille flow, where fluid inertia is small but non-negligible. Using perturbation theory and the reciprocal theorem, we show that in addition to the classical inertial lift of passive particles, the active nature generates a ‘swimming lift’, which we evaluate for neutral and pusher/puller-type swimmers. Accounting for fluid inertia engenders a rich spectrum of complex dynamics including bistable states, where tumbling coexists with stable centerline swimming or swinging. The dynamics is sensitive to the swimmer’s hydrodynamic signature and goes well beyond the findings at vanishing fluid inertia. Our work will have non-trivial implications on the transport and dispersion of active suspensions in microchannels.

Piezoresistive Conductive Microfluidic Membranes for Low-Cost On-Chip Pressure and Flow Sensing

Over the last two decades, microfluidics has received significant attention from both academia and industry, and researchers report thousands of new prototype devices each year for use in a broad range of environmental, pharmaceutical, and biomedical engineering applications. While lab-on-a-chip fabrication costs have continued to decrease, the hardware required for monitoring fluid flows within microfluidic devices themselves remains expensive and often cost prohibitive for researchers interested in starting a microfluidics project. As microfluidic devices become capable of handling complex fluidic systems, low-cost, precise and real time pressure and flow rate measurement capabilities has become increasingly important. While many labs use commercial platforms and sensor, these solutions can often cost thousands of dollars and can be too bulky for on-chip use. Here we present a new inexpensive and easy -to-use piezoresistive pressure and flow sensor that can be easily integrated into existing on-chip microfluidic channels. The sensor consists of PDMS-Carbon black conductive membranes and uses an impedance analyzer to measure impedance change due fluid pressure. The sensor costs several orders of magnitude less than existing commercial platforms and can monitor local fluid pressures and calculate flow rates based on pressure gradient.