We want to purchase the Microfluidics Module in COMSOL to do some simulation in nanofluidic channels. But we are not sure whether Microfluidics Module has any limitation on nano-scale fluidics simulaiton (20 nm to a few microns), because the fundamental physics of fluidics may change when it scales down from micro-scale to nano-scale. Does anyone have such experience?
Few microns maybe.... Depending on what your fluid is (liquid vs. gas). It cannot do simulations where continuum assumptions breaks down (based on the Knudsen number of the system). You would not be able to perform nanoscale fluid simulations or it will be computationally hard (as of Comsol 4). Although there might be ways to trick the model. You can refer to my attached paper for an example --> See section 4.4 Simulation results. It's trying to simulate nanoscale roughness effects on diffusion in a microfluidic system.
Article Anodized titania nanotube array microfluidic device for phot...
Few microns maybe.... Depending on what your fluid is (liquid vs. gas). It cannot do simulations where continuum assumptions breaks down (based on the Knudsen number of the system). You would not be able to perform nanoscale fluid simulations or it will be computationally hard (as of Comsol 4). Although there might be ways to trick the model. You can refer to my attached paper for an example --> See section 4.4 Simulation results. It's trying to simulate nanoscale roughness effects on diffusion in a microfluidic system.
Article Anodized titania nanotube array microfluidic device for phot...
I am working on micro-scale fluid in COMSOL software. It works well. I never tried for nano-scale fluid.
Hello Pengkun,
As Harikrishnan states, the governing equations used in COMSOL are unlikely to be valid for your system. Again, as Harikrishnan points out, there are occasions whereby you can get approximations of the behaviour, depending on whether the assumptions used in the governing equations are still reasonably valid.
I would highly recommend looking at the work by Prof. Brian Kirby:
http://www.kirbyresearch.com/index.cfm/wrap/textbook/microfluidicsnanofluidics.html
His book "Micro and Nanoscale Fluid Mechanics" has some excellent sections outlining when the governing equations become inaccurate or invalid.
http://www.cambridge.org/gb/academic/subjects/engineering/thermal-fluids-engineering/micro-and-nanoscale-fluid-mechanics-transport-microfluidic-devices?format=HB&isbn=9780521119030
Kind regards,
Jules
As Jules and Harikrishnan sayd, you should check your governing equations based on your Knudsen number.
- Badges
- Science topic