Micro fluidic systems
In general, micro fluidic systems are characterised by very small dimensions in connection with small fluid velocities. Especially for gas flows or flows containing biological cells, the dimension of the thermal molecule movement or cell dimension can be reached with a specific device geometry. Examples for applications of micro fluidic sytems are micro pumps, micro mixers or micro valves.
Object of an analysis is often the flow characterisation within the micro fluidic system. This includes, for instance, the determination of the influence of manufacturing tolerances on the flow conditions as well as the analysis of heat transfer and thermal balances in biological or chemical micro reactors.
The method of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is applicable to micro fluidic systems under the assumption of validity of continuum mechanical laws of conservation. This can be combined with certain simulations on the scale of cells and particles. In biological systems, specific properties and possible damage of cells are important aspects to be predicted by a simulation.
As result of the simulation, information regarding the general three-dimensional flow conditions, such as pressure loss, velocity distribution, shear rates, concentration distribution of substances and heat transfer will be delivered. Furthermore, the possible damage of biological mediums is predicted in the computer model.
- Global velocity distribution in a flow device for cell chips (outer diameter of housing=7.0 mm)
- Streamlines in a flow device for cell chip
- Wall shear rate on the housing wall
