Monotone scheme and boundary conditions for finite volume simulation of magnetohydrodynamic internal flows at high Hartmann number

A monotone scheme for finite volume simulation of magnetohydrodynamic internal flows at high Hartmann number is presented. The numerical stability is analysed with respect to the electromagnetic force. Standard central finite differences applied to finite volumes can only be numerically stable if the vector products involved in this force are computed with a scheme using a fully staggered grid. The electromagnetic quantities (electric currents and electric potential) must be shifted by half the grid size from the mechanical ones (velocity and pressure). An integral treatment of the boundary layers is used in conjunction with boundary conditions for electrically conducting walls. The simulations are performed with inhomogeneous electrical conductivities of the walls and reach high Hartmann numbers in three-dimensional simulations, even though a non-adaptive grid is used.

Levitated droplet oscillations: effect of internal flow

The numerical model for electrically conducting liquid droplets levitated in AC magnetic field is extended to demonstrate various factors affecting the accuracy of material property value measurements. The effects included are the electromagnetic force induced stirring and the resulting turbulence, thermo-capillary convection, and the droplet rotation. The results are validated against available analytical solutions.

Minimising the risk of defects in nano-imprint forming

Nano-imprint forming (NIF) is among the most attractive manufacturing technologies offering high yield and low-cost fabrication of three-dimensional fine structures and patterns with resolution of few nanometres. Optimising NIF process is critical for achieving high quality products and minimising the risk of commonly observed defects. Using finite element analysis, the effect of various process parameters is evaluated and design rules for safe and reliable NIF fabrication formulated. This work is part of a major UK Grand Challenge project - 3D-Mintegration - for design, simulation, fabrication, assembly and test of next generation 3D-miniaturised systems.

Levitated droplet oscillations: effect of internal flow

The numerical model for electrically conducting liquid droplets levitated in AC magnetic field is applied to demonstrate various factors affecting the accuracy of material property value measurements in microgravity conditions. The included effects are the electromagnetic force induced stirring and the resulting turbulence, the thermo-capillary convection, and the droplet rotation. The results are validated against available analytical solutions.