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Elasto-compliance of harmonically stimulated soft micro-gaps during electro-magneto-kinetic flows
Akshay Manoj Bhaskaran1, Shubham Agrawal1, Korak Sarkar2
1Hydrodynamics and Thermal Multiphysics Lab (HTML), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, West Bengal-721302, India. purbarun@mech.iitkgp.ac.in.
This study models soft substrate response to dynamic loading, revealing how electromagnetic fields influence fluid flow and substrate stiffness. Findings show magnetic fields amplify forces, while electric fields offer tunable control over squeeze flow and substrate compliance.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Soft matter physics
- Electromagnetism
Background:
- Understanding elasto-hydrodynamic forces in soft substrates is crucial for dynamic loading applications.
- Microfluidic gaps with electro-magneto-hydrodynamic (EMH) interactions present complex fluid-structure dynamics.
- Existing models often simplify the interplay between electromagnetic stimuli and substrate deformability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and solve an analytical model for elasto-hydrodynamic force response of soft substrates under dynamic loading.
- To investigate the influence of electro-magneto-hydrodynamic interactions within a microfluidic gap.
- To analyze the coupled fluid-structure-interaction characteristics during harmonic cylinder impingement.
Main Methods:
- Analytical modeling of coupled fluid-structure interaction.
- Simulation of harmonic cylinder impingement on a soft substrate.
- Analysis of oscillatory squeeze flow in a micro-gap under EMH conditions.
- Examination of Dukhin, Hartmann, and electroviscous numbers.
Main Results:
- Magnetohydrodynamics with a transverse magnetic field amplified force response by resisting squeeze flow.
- Electro-magneto-hydrodynamics effects on force response were sensitive to electric field orientation and intensity.
- Variations in force response were significantly influenced by electrokinetic parameters, oscillation frequency, and substrate stiffness.
- Squeeze flow reversal was observed due to opposing electromagnetic forces, modulating substrate compliance.
Conclusions:
- Electromagnetic fields, particularly magnetohydrodynamics, can significantly alter the elasto-hydrodynamic force response of soft substrates.
- The interplay between electric fields, electrokinetic parameters, and substrate properties offers tunable control over fluid flow and mechanical response.
- The findings provide insights into designing systems involving soft materials under dynamic electromagnetic and fluidic loads.

