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Updated: Aug 27, 2025

The Diffusion of Passive Tracers in Laminar Shear Flow
Published on: May 1, 2018
Diffusion-Slip Boundary Conditions for Isothermal Flows in Micro- and Nano-Channels.
Alwin Michael Tomy1, S Kokou Dadzie1
1School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH11 4AS, UK.
This study introduces new boundary conditions for modeling micro- and nano-scale flows, unifying various diffusion effects. These conditions improve simulations of gas and liquid flows in confined systems.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Multiphysics simulations
- Surface science
Background:
- Classical continuum models struggle with micro- and nano-scale flows, requiring ad hoc additions for effects like wall slip and Knudsen diffusion.
- A unified theoretical framework for these phenomena in microfluidics and nanofluidics is currently lacking.
- Existing models often lack a sound theoretical basis for unifying diverse diffusion processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To derive model boundary conditions that systematically justify diffusion processes in micro- and nano-flows.
- To provide a unified theoretical ground for phenomena where classical continuum models break down.
- To offer a new approach for simulating interfacial flows.
Main Methods:
- Defining and utilizing flow velocities beyond standard mass velocity.
- Deriving novel model boundary conditions based on these velocities.
- Applying these boundary conditions to classical continuum flow equations (e.g., Navier-Stokes).
Main Results:
- A unified derivation of mass flow rates and flow profiles in micro- and nano-channels.
- Model boundary conditions that systematically explain various diffusion processes.
- Methodology validated for both gas and liquid flows, fitting experimental data.
Conclusions:
- The proposed diffusion-type boundary conditions offer a more appropriate approach for simulating micro- and nano-system flows.
- This methodology provides new insights into flow profiles within confined geometries.
- The derived boundary conditions can be adapted for other interfacial flow modeling applications.

