An Accessible Platform for Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Taylor Dispersion

Taylor, Abigail W.

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Overview

Year:: 2019
Contributor:: Taylor, Abigail W. (creator); Harris, Daniel (Advisor); Brown University. Engineering: Fluids and Thermal Sciences (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Microfluidics; Taylor Dispersion
Extent:: x, 83 p.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26300/8vnb-3373

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Description

Abstract:: Within the field of microfluidics, scientists have discovered methods to manipulate flow at the micron scale, downsizing standard laboratory procedures. These techniques boast faster results while consuming less resources. Microfluidic devices have been used for diagnostic testing, drug delivery, chemical preparation, and more. Of interest for many of these applications is the behavior of solute spreading in fully developed laminar flow, first examined by Sir Geoffrey Taylor. An initially localized solute under these flow conditions will exhibit enhanced spreading from the combined effects of fluid transport and molecular diffusion versus purely molecular diffusion. Literature in this field documents the influence of channel geometry and aspect ratio on the magnitude and time-dependent progression of the solute’s effective dispersion. Historically, numerical and experimental explorations into this so called “Taylor Dispersion” problem have been exclusive to highly trained researchers. This thesis serves to improve accessibility to these studies by providing instructions for optimized numerical simulations using a user-friendly, commercially available multiphysics software, and a refined microchannel fabrication technique utilizing an inexpensive desktop craft cutter. These methods have the potential for significant immediate impact on technology. To validate the accuracy of each study, experiments are modeled after classical Taylor Dispersion studies and benchmarked with known analytical results. Two-dimensional, axisymmetric, and three-dimensional simulations are executed within COMSOL Multiphysics to cover a range of channel geometries and aspect ratios; each agreeing with theoretical predictions for the solute’s distribution. The enclosed simulation results support the capabilities of COMSOL as an accurate and streamlined tool for numerically solving solute dispersion problems within fully laminar flows, even for users with no prior simulation experience.
Notes:: Thesis (Sc. M.)--Brown University, 2019

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Access Conditions

Rights: In Copyright
Restrictions on Use: Collection is open for research.

Citation

Taylor, Abigail W., "An Accessible Platform for Numerical and Experimental Investigations of Taylor Dispersion" (2019). Fluid, Thermal, and Chemical Processes Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://doi.org/10.26300/8vnb-3373

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Fluid, Thermal, and Chemical Processes Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Fluid, Thermal, and Chemical Processes department.
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