Computer aided optimisation of a constant shear-rate micro-channel contraction

Abstract

A combination of spectral element computational fluid dynamics simulation and the Levenberg--Marquardt non-linear optimisation algorithm are used to optimise a micro-channel contraction. The Levenberg--Marquardt algorithm finds the optimum contraction profile which minimises changes in the shear rate near the channel centreline. The primary criterion for the design of the micro-channel contraction is a constant shear rate in the flow direction. This is motivated by the need to study living cells in an environment of uniform shear. References

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