A mathematical theory of microscale hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding by electro-osmosis

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a general mathematical framework for perfect and approximate hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding of electro-osmotic flow, which is governed by a coupled PDE system via the field-effect electro-osmosis. We first establish the representation formula of the solution of the coupled system using the layer potential techniques. Based on Fourier series, the perfect hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding conditions are derived for the control region with the cross-sectional shape being annulus or confocal ellipses. Then we further propose an optimization scheme for the design of approximate cloaks and shields within general geometries. The well-posedness of the optimization problem is proved. In particular, the condition that can ensure the occurrence of approximate cloaks and shields for general geometries are also established. Our theoretical findings are validated and supplemented by a variety of numerical results. The results in this paper also provide a mathematical foundation for more complex hydrodynamic cloaking and shielding.