Experimental study of the interaction of near-wall flow with flexible polymers at micro-scale

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The proposed project is part of a cooperation of the Institute of Aerodynamics, RWTH Aachen with the research group of Prof. Spatz, Univ. Heidelberg and Prof. Zimmermann, Univ. Saarbrücken. The aim of the experimental study is the detailed analysis of the interaction of near-wall flow with polymers anchored on top of flexible micropillars in a defined shear flow. The micro-fabricated elastomeric pillars are used to position the macromolecules in a defined wall distance and to measure the deformation forces of the polymers via the pillar bending. The interaction of the micro-pillars and the anchored polymers with the flow is studied in detail using Particle-Image Velocimetry measurements at microscale (micro-PIV) and timelapse microscopy. The experimental study allows a detailed analysis how the flow field deforms the tethered polymers and how the flow field is modified by the presence of the polymers, both issues of which are theoretically studied by Prof. Zimmermann, one of the cooperating partners. In addition, the detailed knowledge of the flow field is important to understand shear induced transport and biochemical reactions investigated with a similar device by the group of Prof. Spatz. They use the micropillar surface as a force measurement device for the study of biochemical reactions on networks of biomolecules.