DFG Priority Program SPP 1164
Nano- & Microfluidics:
Bridging the Gap between
Molecular Motion and Continuum Flow
Cooperative action of motile micro-pillars: from micro-scale fluid structure interaction to effective near-wall flow control
| Project Leader: | Dr.-Ing. habil Christoph Brücker Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Fak. 4 Lehrstuhl für Strömungsmechanik und Strömungsmaschinen Freiberg |
Summary
The proposed project is a detailed study of
polymer flow in collaboration with the research group of Prof. Spatz, Univ.
Stuttgart (formerly Univ. Heidelberg) and Prof. Zimmermann, Univ. Bayreuth. The
aim of the experimental study proposed herein is the understanding of the
interaction of near-wall flow with polymers, which we tether on top of flexible
micropillars in a defined shear flow. The micro-fabricated elastomeric pillars
are used to position the macromolecules / flexible filaments in the shear field
at a defined distance and to measure the deformation and drag forces of the
polymers via the pillar bending. The interaction of the micro-pillars and the
anchored filaments with the flow is studied in detail using Particle- Image
Velocimetry measurements at micro-scale (µPIV) and time-lapse microscopy. The
experimental study allows a detailed analysis how the flow field is modified by
the presence of the polymers, which is accompanied by theoretical studies by
Prof. Zimmermann. In addition, the detailed knowledge of the flow field is
important to understand shear induced transport and biochemical reactions
investigated with a similar device b the group of Prof. Spatz. They use the
micro-pillar surface to study biochemical reactions on networks of
biomolecules.