ITR: Novel Finite Element Techniques for Modeling of Flows of Microstructured Liquids in Complex Geometries with Free Surfaces

信息技术研究（ITR）小提案编号：CTS-0312764主要研究者：M。Pasquali和M. BehrUniversity/Institution：该研究的智力价值在于开发新的计算方法和软件，用于在宏观和微观长度尺度上模拟自由表面，弹性边界和移动边界的过程中的复杂流体流动。 该软件将包括理论模块，用于描述许多微和纳米结构的液体和软固体，如血液，血细胞，聚合物液体和纳米管分散体的流动。 计算方法和软件将能够模拟三维以及二维流动的表面弹性，毛细作用，和流体粘弹性的影响。 它将用于模拟重要的工程应用，如血泵中的血液流动和血液损伤、涂层和聚合物加工流动、喷墨打印、微流体设备中的流动，以及研究压力对白色血细胞和免疫系统运作的影响。这项研究的更广泛影响体现在生物工程重要领域建模的保真度显著提高，药特别是，这项研究将直接有利于离心式左心室辅助装置的设计，这为成千上万等待捐赠心脏的心脏病患者带来了希望。 如果取得足够的进展，这些设备将提供更高的生物相容性，在其目前的桥梁移植的作用，甚至可能被接受为一个永久的临床解决方案。这项研究将包括研究生培训和本科生实习，既作为一种手段，实现其目标，并作为一种方式来准备下一代的计算流体动力学，他们精通微结构液体的建模和高性能计算。所获得的模拟结果和在本研究过程中开发的编程技术将被纳入计算工程课程。该项目还将加强计算科学家和医学研究人员之间的联系，这将有助于开发新的救生设备和临床方法。

AbstractInformation Technology Research (ITR) Small ProposalsProposal Number: CTS-0312764Principal Investigator: M. Pasquali and M. BehrUniversity/Institution: William Marsh Rice University The intellectual merit of the research lies in the development of new computational methods and software for modeling complex fluid flows at macroscopic as well as microscopic length scales in processes where free surfaces, elastic boundaries, and moving boundaries are present. The software will include theory modules for describing the flow of many micro- and nano-structured liquids and soft solids such as blood, blood cells, polymeric liquids, and dispersions of nanotubes. The computational method and software will be capable of modeling three-dimensional as well as two-dimensional flows with effects of surface elasticity, capillarity, and fluid viscoelasticity. It will be used for modeling important engineering applications, such as blood flow and blood damage in blood pumps, coating and polymer processing flows, ink-jet printing, flow in microfluidic devices, and for studying the effects of stress on white blood cells and on the operation of the immune system.The broader impact of this research is exemplified by significantly improved fidelity of modeling in important areas of bioengineering and medicine. In particular, the research will directly benefit the design of centrifugal left-ventricular assist devices, which offer hope for thousands of heart disease victims waiting for donor hearts. If enough progress is made, these devices will offer increased biocompatibility in their current bridge-to-transplant role, and may even be accepted as a permanent clinical solution.This research will incorporate graduate student training and undergraduate internships, both as a means of accomplishing its objectives, and as a way to prepare the next generation of computational fluid dynamicists, who are well versed in the modeling of microstructured liquids and in high-performance computing. Simulation results obtained, and programming techniques developed in the course of this research will be included in computational engineering courses. The project will also strengthen the ties between computational scientists and medical researchers, which will aid the development of new life-saving devices and clinical methods.