NCSI: Mixing Efficiency in Microfluidic Systems with Non-Newtonian Fluids (Learner Position)

Status	Completed
Mentor Name	STEVEN SANTANA
Mentor's XSEDE Affiliation	Startup allocation
Mentor Has Been in XSEDE Community	Less than 1 year
Project Title	Mixing Efficiency in Microfluidic Systems with Non-Newtonian Fluids (Learner Position)
Summary	Microfluidic devices play crucial roles in a wide range of applications but efficient mixing stands as a significant hurdle. This circumstance is problematic as efficient microfluidic mixing is critical for creating homogeneous fluid environments necessary for chemical and biological applications. This project will investigate the mixing efficiency of suppressed Reynolds number flows using computational fluid dynamics, through the Ansys Fluids suite (ANSYS), to establish new foundational knowledge and approaches for designing passive microfluidic mixers to integrate within fluidic systems, such as bioprinters.
Job Description	The student researcher will computationally model the flows of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids within microfluidic devices using ANSYS on Stampede2. The researcher will complete a mesh refinement study for single- and multi-phase flows. Subsequently the participant, together with a team, will develop measures for and evaluate fluid mixing efficiency, at each microfluidic channels' exit, and chaotic advection within the channel. These models will be undertaken across a range of Reynolds numbers. Results generated will be visualized with CFD-Post, Matlab, and other appropriate software. These computational models will be experimentally validated by a complementary team and so regular communication with experimental counterparts will be necessary.
Computational Resources	This project uses the Skylake System (Stampede2) and the TACC Long-term storage (Ranch) through XSEDE allocation MCH200008. The Skylake system has ANSYS 2020R1 installed and ready for use. ANSYS will be used for all modeling; ANSYS and Matlab will be used for data analysis. Data will be stored on Ranch and Harvey Mudd College's cloud storage (Google Drive through G Suite for Education).
Contribution to Community	These results will establish new knowledge regarding the mechanisms driving mixing efficiency in laminar flows. Furthermore the results will equip investigators and engineers to design mixers that advance the development of biotechnology and therapeutic solutions. This work will contribute to a suite of methods that inform passive mixer designs that consider fluid types, operational conditions, and device geometries. The project focuses on passive micromixers because they are easily fabricated, inexpensively produced, and do not require additional equipment to function, thus enabling facile and wide adoption. Similarly, this work intentionally uses ANSYS, a commercially available software package, to enable broad adoption. Lastly, it is expected that this work will result in at least one conference presentation and peer-reviewed manuscript including students as the primary authors.
Position Type	Learner
Training Plan	The project includes training on using ANSYS, both through the GUI and batch mode, on Stampede2. This will include developing and evaluating simple models with analytical results to establish requisite skills. Furthermore, students will be trained in conducting literature reviews, developing and acting on experimental plans, analyzing results, and creating and describing results. -Weeks 1-3: Learn to use ANSYS GUI, develop models for evaluating microfluidic mixing; Conduct a literature review to inform model development (** depending on prior experience, Weeks 1-3 may be omitted and time given to extended model developement) -Weeks 3-5: Learn to use ANSYS in batch mode and to interact with the XSEDE environment; Develop experimental plans -Weeks 6-11: Perform computational models using XSEDE resources and evaluate chaotic advection and mixing efficiency; Analyze data -Weeks 9-12: Prepare for public communication (poster, paper sections); Analyze data; Develop next steps and experimental plans for on-going work
Student Prerequisites/Conditions/Qualifications	Any student is encouraged to apply. Students with coursework in multivariable calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and continuum mechanics are especially encouraged to apply. Any background knowledge of fluid mechanics would also beneficial; experience with programming, data analysis and statistics, Linux, ANSYS, and Matlab would be helpful, but not necessary.
Duration	Semester
Start Date	09/08/2021
End Date	12/01/2021