Flow behavior of soft objects like polymers, vesicles and cells in microchannels

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Gerhard Gompper
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2004 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5425082

The flow behavior of complex fluids consisting of soft objects like macromolecules (e.g. DNA), vesicles or blood cells will be studied in microchannels. We want to achieve a detailed understanding of the influence of the micrometer size geometry on the transport properties and the structures of the fluid. This comprises the change in conformations of the soft objects as well as a possible structure formation (e.g. aggregation). In addition the influence of soft boundaries on the fluid flow will be addressed. For this purpose we will perform computer simulations employing different techniques. To simulate the fluid flow we will exploit a particle-based mesoscale simulation technique (Multi-Particle-Collision dynamics) which accounts for hydrodynamic interactions. In addition, we will use molecular dynamics simulations and/or triangulated surface models to describe e.g. vesicles. We will start our investigations by considering single particles and then proceed to more complex systems with inter-particle interactions. Our simulations will provide microscopic insight into the interplay between confinement, boundary conditions, hydrodynamic interactions, and inter-particle interactions on the flow behavior of complex fluids.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1164: Nano- and Microfluidics: Bridging the Gap between Molecular Motion and Continuum Flow
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Roland G. Winkler