Modelação, simulação e implementação de agitação acústica para aplicações em microfluídica

Tese de Doutoramento (Programa Doutoral em Engenharia Biomédica)

Slip flows of Newtonian and viscoelastic fluids in a 4:1 contraction

This work presents a numerical study of the 4:1 planar contraction flow of a viscoelastic fluid described by the simplified Phan-Thien–Tanner model under the influence of slip boundary conditions at the channel walls. The linear Navier slip law was considered with the dimensionless slip coefficient varying in the range ½0; 4500. The simulations were carried out for a small constant Reynolds number of 0.04 and Deborah numbers (De) varying between 0 and 5. Convergence could not be achieved for higher values of the Deborah number, especially for large values of the slip coefficient, due to the large stress gradients near the singularity of the reentrant corner. Increasing the slip coefficient leads to the formation of two vortices, a corner and a lip vortex. The lip vortex grows with increasing slip until it absorbs the corner vortex, creating a single large vortex that continues to increase in size and intensity. In the range De = 3–5 no lip vortex was formed. The flow is characterized in detail for De ¼ 1 as function of the slip coefficient, while for the remaining De only the main features are shown for specific values of the slip coefficient.

Analytical and numerical study of the electro-osmotic annular flow of viscoelastic fluids

In this work we present semi-analytical solutions for the electro-osmotic annular flow of viscoelastic fluids modeled by the Linear and Exponential PTT models. The viscoelastic fluid flows in the axial direction between two concentric cylinders under the combined influences of electrokinetic and pressure forcings. The analysis invokes the Debye-Hückel approximation and includes the limit case of pure electro-osmotic flow. The solution is valid for both no slip and slip velocity at the walls and the chosen slip boundary condition is the linear Navier slip velocity model. The combined effects of fluid rheology, electro-osmotic and pressure gradient forcings on the fluid velocity distribution are also discussed.

Annular flow of viscoelastic fluids: Analytical and numerical solutions

This work provides analytical and numerical solutions for the linear, quadratic and exponential Phan–Thien–Tanner (PTT) viscoelastic models, for axial and helical annular fully-developed flows under no slip and slip boundary conditions, the latter given by the linear and nonlinear Navier slip laws. The rheology of the three PTT model functions is discussed together with the influence of the slip velocity upon the flow velocity and stress fields. For the linear PTT model, full analytical solutions for the inverse problem (unknown velocity) are devised for the linear Navier slip law and two different slip exponents. For the linear PTT model with other values of the slip exponent and for the quadratic PTT model, the polynomial equation for the radial location (β) of the null shear stress must be solved numerically. For both models, the solution of the direct problem is given by an iterative procedure involving three nonlinear equations, one for β, other for the pressure gradient and another for the torque per unit length. For the exponential PTT model we devise a numerical procedure that can easily compute the numerical solution of the pure axial flow problem

Dispersion of fillers in viscoelastic polymer matrices using Eulerian-Lagrangian approaches

Understanding the behavior of c omplex composite materials using mixing procedures is fundamental in several industrial processes. For instance, polymer composites are usually manufactured using dispersion of fillers in polymer melt matrices. The success of the filler dispersion depends both on the complex flow patterns generated and on the polymer melt rheological behavior. Consequently, the availability of a numerical tool that allow to model both fluid and particle would be very useful to increase the process insight. Nowadays there ar e computational tools that allow modeling the behavior of filled systems, taking into account both the behavior of the fluid (Computational Rheology) and the particles (Discrete Element Method). One example is the DPMFoam solver of the OpenFOAM ® framework where the averaged volume fraction momentum and mass conservation equations are used to describe the fluid (continuous phase) rheology, and the Newton’s second law of motion is used to compute the particles (discrete phase) movement. In this work the refer red solver is extended to take into account the elasticity of the polymer melts for the continuous phase. The solver capabilities will be illustrated by studying the effect of the fluid rheology on the filler dispersion, taking into account different fluid types (generalized Newtonian or viscoelastic) and particles volume fraction and size. The results obtained are used to evaluate the relevance of considering the fluid complex rheology for the prediction of the composites morphology

Understanding the dispersion of fillers in polymer matrices

Understanding the mixing process of complex composite materials is fundamental in several industrial processes. For instance, the dispersion of fillers in polymer melt matrices is commonly employed to manufacture polymer composites, using a twin-screw extruder. The effectiveness of the filler dispersion depends not only on the complex flow patterns generated, but also on the polymer melt rheological behavior. Therefore, the availability of a numerical tool able to predict mixing, taking into account both fluid and particles phases would be very useful to increase the process insight, and thus provide useful guidelines for its optimization. In this work, a new Eulerian-Lagrangian numerical solver is developed OpenFOAM® computational library, and used to better understand the mechanisms determining the dispersion of fillers in polymer matrices. Particular attention will be given to the effect of the rheological model used to represent the fluid behavior, on the level of dispersion obtained. For the Eulerian phase the averaged volume fraction governing equations (conservation of mass and linear momentum) are used to describe the fluid behavior. In the case of the Lagrangian phase, Newton’s second law of motion is used to compute the particles trajectories and velocity. To study the effect of fluid behavior on the filler dispersion, several systems are modeled considering different fluid types (generalized Newtonian or viscoelastic) and particles volume fraction and size. The results obtained are used to correlate the fluid and particle characteristics on the effectiveness of mixing and morphology obtained.

Measurement of the transverse polarization of Λ and Λ ¯ hyperons produced in proton-proton collisions at s =7TeV using the ATLAS detector

The transverse polarization of Λ and Λ¯ hyperons produced in proton--proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is measured. The analysis uses 760 μb−1 of minimum bias data collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in the year 2010. The measured transverse polarization averaged over Feynman xF from 5×10−5 to 0.01 and transverse momentum pT from 0.8 to 15 GeV is −0.010±0.005(stat)±0.004(syst) for Λ and 0.002±0.006(stat)±0.004(syst) for Λ¯. It is also measured as a function of xF and pT, but no significant dependence on these variables is observed. Prior to this measurement, the polarization was measured at fixed-target experiments with center-of-mass energies up to about 40 GeV. The ATLAS results are compatible with the extrapolation of a fit from previous measurements to the xF range covered by this mesurement.

Efficacy of a gas permeable contact lens to induce peripheral myopic defocus

Purpose. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of a novel custom-designed rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lens to modify the relative peripheral refractive error in a sample of myopic patients. Methods. Fifty-two right eyes of 52 myopic patients (mean [TSD] age, 21 [T2] years) with spherical refractive errors ranging from j0.75 to j8.00 diopters (D) and refractive astigmatism of 1.00 D or less were fitted with a novel experimental RGP (ExpRGP) lens designed to create myopic defocus in the peripheral retina. A standard RGP (StdRGP) lens was used as a control in the same eye. The relative peripheral refractive error was measured without the lens and with each of two lenses (StdRGP and ExpRGP) using an open-field autorefractometer from 30 degrees nasal to 30 degrees temporal, in 5-degree steps. The effectiveness of the lens design was evaluated as the amount of relative peripheral refractive error difference induced by the ExpRGP compared with no lens and with StdRGP conditions at 30 degrees in the nasal and temporal (averaged) peripheral visual fields. Results. Experimental RGP lens induced a significant change in relative peripheral refractive error compared with the nolens condition (baseline), beyond the 10 degrees of eccentricity to the nasal and temporal side of the visual field (p G 0.05). The maximum effect was achieved at 30 degrees. Wearing the ExpRGP lens, 60% of the eyes had peripheral myopia exceeding j1.00 D, whereas none of the eyes presented with this feature at baseline. There was no significant correlation (r = 0.04; p = 0.756) between the degree of myopia induced at 30 degrees of eccentricity of the visual field with the ExpRGP lens and the baseline refractive error. Conclusions. Custom-designed RGP contact lenses can generate a significant degree of relative peripheral myopia in myopic patients regardless of their baselin spherical equivalent refractive error.

Effect of acid or alkaline catalyst and of different capping agents on the optical properties of CdS nanoparticles incorporated within a diureasil hybrid matrix

CdS nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using colloidal methods and incorporated within a diureasil hybrid matrix. The surface capping of the CdS NPs by 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) and 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) organic ligands during the incorporation of the NPs within the hybrid matrix has been investigated. The matrix is based on poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) chains grafted to a siliceous skeleton through urea bonds and was produced by sol–gel process. Both alkaline and acidic catalysis of the sol–gel reaction were used to evaluate the effect of each organic ligand on the optical properties of the CdS NPs. The hybrid materials were characterized by absorption, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). The preservation of the optical properties of the CdS NPs within the diureasil hybrids was dependent on the experimental conditions used. Both organic ligands (APTMS and MPTMS) demonstrated to be crucial in avoiding the increase of size distribution and clustering of the NPs within the hybrid matrix. The use of organic ligands was also shown to influence the level of interaction between the hybrid host and the CdS NPs. The CdS NPs showed large Stokes shifts and long average lifetimes, both in colloidal solution and in the xerogels, due to the origin of the PL emission in surface states. The CdS NPs capped with MPTMS have lower PL lifetimes compared to the other xerogel samples but still larger than the CdS NPs in the original colloidal solution. An increase in PL lifetimes of the NPs after their incorporation within the hybrid matrix is related to interaction between the NPs and the hybrid host matrix.

The impact of urban noise on primary schools: perceptive evaluation and objective assessment

This paper aims to assess the impact of environmental noise in the vicinity of primary schools and to analyze its influence in the workplace and in student performance through perceptions and objective evaluation. The subjective evaluation consisted of the application of questionnaires to students and teachers, and the objective assessment consisted of measuring in situ noise levels. The survey covered nine classes located in three primary schools. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for data processing and to draw conclusions. Additionally, the relationship of the difference between environmental and background noise levels of each classroom and students with difficulties in hearing the teacherâ s voice was examined. Noise levels in front of the school, the schoolyard, and the most noise-exposed classrooms (occupied and unoccupied) were measured. Indoor noise levels were much higher than World Health Organization (WHO) recommended values: LAeq,30min averaged 70.5 dB(A) in occupied classrooms, and 38.6 dB(A) in unoccupied ones. Measurements of indoor and outdoor noise suggest that noise from the outside (road, schoolyard) affects the background noise level in classrooms but in varying degrees. It was concluded that the façades most exposed to road traffic noise are subjected to values higher than 55.0 dB(A), and noise levels inside the classrooms are mainly due to the schoolyard, students, and the road traffic. The difference between background (LA95,30min) and the equivalent noise levels (LAeq,30min) in occupied classrooms was 19.2 dB(A), which shows that studentsâ activities are a significant source of classroom noise.

The application of the equivalent annulus width concept in thermal diffusion separations

The equivalent annulus width concept is used to characterize a small commercial thermogravitational hermal diffusion column and its validity checked experimentally by separating batchwise in the column mixtures of n-heptanebenzene with different initial concentrations. The equation of Ruppell and Coull was used to analyse the data in the short separation times range and determine the equivalent annulus width. Good agreement was obtained between the experimental and predicted time-separation curves when using the equivalent annulus width value and on averaged value of the thermal diffusion constant. A new method is presented for the simultaneous determination of the equivalent annulus width and the thermal diffusion constant of a binary mixture from a single set of experimental data.

Particle transport in fouling caused by kaolin-water suspensions on copper tubes

Particulate fouling tests were carried out using kaolin-water suspensions flowing through an annular heat exchanger with a copper inner tube. The flow rate was changed from test to test, but the fluid temperature and pH, as well as the particle concentration, were maintained constant. In the lower range of fluid velocities (<0.5 m/s), the deposition process seemed to be controlled by mass transfer. The corresponding experimental transport fluxes were compared to the predictions obtained with several models, showing that diffusion governed particle transport. The absolute values of the mass transfer fluxes and their dependences on the Reynolds number were satisfactorily predicted by some of the models.