Todays scientific and engineering community has a good grasp on how to model fluid flows at macro and molecular scales, with well-developed theory and supporting technologies. Between these two extremes lies the nano/meso scale (i.e. in the range of 50nm-500nm) where fluid flow models continue to be problematic. Continuum models used at macro scales assume a negligible influence from molecular interactions, while molecular models do not predict flow well at nano/meso dimensions. The solution, and the subject of this book, is to use elements from both to capture correctly the proper physics (from the molecular scale) and provide a description in terms of useful fluid properties (as characterized on the continuum scale).

Fluid Properties at Nano/Meso Scale is based on the authors past five years research that has yielded new innovations in fluid simulation strategies at the nano/meso scale. The authors approach this subject in a straightforward and easy to understand format, providing a first step into the subject for researchers at all levels. They present new tools that allow the numerical computation of fluid properties from first principles, enabling the reader to begin to model successfully fluids at nano/meso scale. It is hoped that these first steps will engender the further development and advancement of simulation techniques at this scale, and keep engineering simulation at the cutting edge of technology.

Presents internationally leading developments in the field of fluid properties at nano/meso scaleProvides the reader with the first steps to fluid modelling at nano/meso-scales as well as state-of-the-art applicationsIncludes innovative and new simulation techniques along with a detailed examination of existing numerical methods

Dr Peter Dyson, School of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea
Peter Dyson gained his PhD from the University of Swansea. His thesis 'Numerical Computation of Fluid Properties at NanoIMeso, has opened up new areas in meso scale fluid simulation allowing the investigation of flow regimes and the characterization of bulk fluid properties from first principles. An EPSRC proposal to extend this work had been submitted and is currently under review.

Dr Rajesh Ransing, Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea
Dr Ransing is an executive committee member, of the Natural Computing Applications Forum (NCAF). He is an Editorial Board Member of International Joumal of Numerical Methods for Heat and Fluid Flow Journal and has had numerous guest editor roles and awards for papers. He is an organizer of many conference workshops, and has been asked to be a guest speaker at many conferences also. His research with NCAF has resulted in global patents, which are being accepted in many countries. The University has created a spin out company to exploit this research and UK's only Casting Trade Association - Cast Metal Federation along with other consortium members is actively supporting this research initiative.

Biographies

Series Preface

Preface

Symbols and Abbreviations

1 The Nature of Fluid Flow

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Basics of fluid motion

1.3 Molecular mechanics

1.4 Types of simulation

1.5 Effects at molecular scale

1.6 Summary

2 Fluid Physics at Meso Scales

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Top-down approach for meso scale computation

2.3 Bottom up approach for meso scale computation

2.4 Summary

3 Meso Scale Model Based on First Principles

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Fluid physics model

3.3 Extracting local bulk properties

3.4 Verification of proposed meso scale model

3.5 Summary

4 Enhancements to the Meso Scale Model

4.1 Introduction

4.2 Driving forces

4.3 Thermostats

4.4 Case studies

4.5 Summary

5 Modelling Fluid Regimes at Nano/Meso Scales

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Flow regimes

5.3 Fluid flow characterization from molecular simulation

5.4 Summary

6 Performance of Proposed Meso Scale Model

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Issues in using large numbers of molecules

6.3 Meso scale simulations

6.4 Summary

7 Experimental Aspects of Fluid Properties at the Nano/Meso Scale

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Colloidal interactions in nano-fluids

7.3 Osmotic phenomena and osmotic pressure

7.4 Gradient diffusion coefficient

7.5 Viscosity

7.6 Membrane separations

7.7 Membrane ultrafiltration models

7.8 Tensile and other rheological properties of liquids on the meso scale

7.9 Summary

8 Future Advancement

8.1 Future advancement

References

Index