Viscoelastic behaviour of fluids in micro-fluidic applications

The subject of the PhD activity will be the study and the characterization of the rheological and fluid dynamic behaviour of viscoelastic fluids in micro-encloses. From a broad sense fluid mechanic point of view, it is possible to identify a class of applications related to the practical implementation of such conceptual problem. A large part of the activities can be related with the problem of efficient performances in micro-devices like enhanced mixing or enhanced heat transfer. In order to bypass the limitation of the low Reynolds number which characterizes small scale problems, we remove the basic condition of linearity in low Re flows by adding e.g. flexible, high molecular weight polymers to the working fluid. In these conditions the chaotic motions, typical of turbulent flows, are caused by the elasticity in the fluid (elastic turbulence). A second group of related activities will regard the more general problem of rheological characterization of biological fluids both in vivo or in micro-fluidics devices such as lab-on-chip. The activity will mainly be conducted by numerical simulation using highly accurate methods such as spectral or spectral elements methods. The techniques employed will be particularly challenging since they will require the possibility to reproduce complex rheological behaviours in complex geometries. Experimental validations conducted by partner research groups are also planned.

The successful applicant will have the possibility to develop a strong theoretical background about various aspects of the problem. The project will involve studying, among others, fluid dynamics, polymer physics, rheology of complex fluids and theory of nonlinear systems. More practical skills will be also developed and will be those related to the simulations of rheologically complex fluids in complex geometries.

Candidates should hold or expect to gain a first class degree or a good 2.1 and/or an appropriate Master’s level qualification (or their equivalent).

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent)