MicroPIV methodology using model systems for flow studies in heterogeneous biopolymer gel microstructures
Journal article, 2013
A methodology for studying flow in heterogeneous soft microstructures has been developed. The methodology includes: (1) model fractal or random heterogeneous microstructures fabricated in PDMS and characterised using CLSM; (2) μPIV measurements; (3) Lattice–Boltzmann simulations of flow. It has been found that the flow behaviour in these model materials is highly dependent on pore size as well as on the connectivity and occurrence of dead ends. The experimental flow results show good agreement with predictions from the Lattice–Boltzmann modelling. These simulations were performed in geometries constructed from 3D CLSM images of the actual PDMS structures. Given these results, mass transport behaviour may be predicted for even more complex structures, like gels or composite material in, e.g., food or biomaterials. This is a step in the direction towards predictive science with regards to tailoring soft biomaterials for specific mass transport properties.
Biomaterial
Micro-PIV
Microstructure
μPIV
Flow simulation
PDMS
CLSM
Model material
Microfluidics
Mass transport
Author
Kristin Sott
SuMo Biomaterials
Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering Design
Tobias Gebäck
SuMo Biomaterials
University of Gothenburg
Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics
Maria Pihl
SuMo Biomaterials
Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Applied Surface Chemistry
Niklas Lorén
SIK – the Swedish Institute for Food and Biotechnology
Anne-Marie Hermansson
Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Life Sciences
SuMo Biomaterials
Alexey Geynts
Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics
University of Gothenburg
Anders Rasmuson
Chalmers, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemical Engineering Design
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
0021-9797 (ISSN) 1095-7103 (eISSN)
Vol. 398 15 May 2013 262-269Areas of Advance
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Materials Science
Subject Categories
Computational Mathematics
Polymer Technologies
Textile, Rubber and Polymeric Materials
Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics
DOI
10.1016/j.jcis.2013.02.022