Simulation study on scaling effects in nano- and microscale fluid dynamics at deformable metal surfaces

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Dierk Raabe, since 3/2006
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics
• Term: from 2004 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5424537

The aim of the project is a better understanding of fluid dynamics in the immediate vicinity of deformable metallic surfaces at the nano- and microscale. Particular aspects of the project are the systematic investigation of 1) scaling effects in nano- and microscale fluid dynamics arising from changes in surface topography of the metal (due to elastic-plastic deformation) relative to the properties of the fluid. Particular aspects in this context are the transition from laminar flow to turbulent flow as a function of the roughness of the deformed metal surface. Scaling enters through the roughness and its change in the course of surface deformation. 2) the mechanical interaction between fluids and metallic surfaces, i.e. the nano- and microscale deformation of metals due to the local pressure exerted by the fluid. 3) nano- and microscale fluid mechanics in confined regions, such as occurring when fluids are trapped between two abutting rough metallic surfaces The simulation tool for investigating the mechanics of the metal surface is a crystal elasticity-plasticity FE method which is capable of predicting nanoscopic and microscopic details of mechanical surface changes of metallic crystals under loads. The simulation tool for fluid dynamics at the nano- and microscale is a Boltzmann-lattice gas automaton. Experimental tools to determine real surface topographies of deformed metals as input data for the fluid mechanics simulations are an in-situ tensile tester in conjunction with high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron back scatter diffraction (EBSD) for nano- and microtexture measurement, Hysitron nanoindenter and nanoscratcher set-ups, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and confocal microscopy.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1164: Nano- and Microfluidics: Bridging the Gap between Molecular Motion and Continuum Flow
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Dorothée Dorner, until 3/2006