Flow cross-overs under surface fluctuations in cylindrical nano-channel

Abstract

We analyse surface-fluctuations-driven fluid flow through nano-channels to investigate the interplay between boundary layer flow structures and the bulk flow of fluid under a pressure-head. Surface fluctuations of a wide range of frequencies (up to several thousands of Hertz) in a nano-channel keep the flow in the low Reynolds number regime. Using this advantage of low Reynolds number flow, we develop a perturbation analysis of the fluid flow that clearly distinguishes the bulk flow under a pressure head around the axis of a nano-tube from its surface flow structure induced by fluctuations. In terms of particle transport under such flow conditions, there exists the opportunity to drag particles near the periphery of the nano-tube in a direction opposite to the bulk flow near the axis. This can potentially find applications in the separation, trapping, and filtration of particles under surface-driven flow through nano-tubes under widely varying conditions.