Our body contains an intricate system of tiny vessels through which blood, water and other molecules flow. When the size of the pipes shrinks to the nanoscale, where only a few molecules can fit side by side, the classical laws of physics governing the behavior of water are influenced by the atomic structure of the walls. "It's not that classical hydrodynamics breaks down, but rather that it gets mixed with the condensed matter physics of the solid walls," says Nikita Kavokine, tenure-track assistant professor and leader of the EPFL Quantum Plumbing Lab.
This research builds on fundamental quantum and molecular physics capabilities developed over recent decades, with increasing interest in real-world applications at the nanoscale.
Understanding fluid dynamics at the nanoscale is crucial for advancing medical technologies, materials science, and potentially addressing water purification challenges.
The explicit recognition that classical hydrodynamics interplays with condensed matter physics at the nanoscale opens new avenues for engineering more efficient and precise fluidic systems.
- · Nanotechnology researchers
- · Medical technology developers
- · Materials science
- · Water purification industry
- · Purely classical fluid dynamics approaches for nanoscale applications
Improved design and functionality of nanofluidic devices for drug delivery and diagnostics.
Development of novel filtration membranes with unprecedented efficiency for desalination and wastewater treatment.
Enhanced energy harvesting from fluid flows at microscopic scales, unlocking new power sources for tiny devices.
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Read at Phys.org — Quantum Physics