Work

Low Reynolds number pumping near an elastic half space

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Oscillatory flow near deformable boundaries arises in a variety of biological and engineered contexts. In this study, peristaltically driven flow is quantified as a function of a passive boundary's elasticity for transverse and longitudinal driving waves. Compliance of the elastic half-space generally leads to a decrease in flow rate. However, under longitudinal loading and sufficient confinement, flow can increase. Lagrangian velocities quantify reflux, supporting claims longitudinal waves reduce reflux near the peristaltic wave. We show our analysis agrees with experimental data for pulsatile cerebrospinal fluid flow in the brain.

Source: Physical Review Fluids

DOI: 10.1103/physrevfluids.10.054003

Authors: Avery Trevino, Thomas R. Powers, Roberto Zenit, Mauro Rodriguez

Institution: Brown University

Language: English

Topic: Rheology and Fluid Dynamics Studies

Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Field: Chemical Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Brown University, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara

Award: G4360986921