Nanofluidics

Nanofluidics focuses on the behaviour and manipulation of fluids at nanoscale. This discipline is studies and controls fluid dynamics in extremely confined environments, where classical fluid mechanics principles often break down.

Applications includes:

• Nanoscale channel design: channels and networks with dimensions on the order of nanometres. These channels are constructed using advanced materials such as graphene or carbon nanotubes to exploit their unique properties, such as high strength and electrical conductivity
• Molecular flow dynamics: study of fluid behaviour at the molecular level, where interactions between individual molecules and the channel walls become significant. This includes the analysis of slip conditions, boundary effects, and anomalous transport phenomena that arise due to the reduced scale
• Controlled molecular transport: development of techniques for precise control over the movement and separation of molecules within nanofluidic systems. This includes the use of electrokinetic effects, such as electrophoresis and dielectrophoresis, to manipulate charged particles or biomolecules.
• Enhanced sensitivity and detection: nanofluidic devices are used for highly sensitive detection of chemical and biological species. The confinement of fluids to nanoscale channels increases the interaction surface area and enhances the signal-to-noise ratio for detection applications.

Nanofluidics are naturally integrated with other nanotechnologies, such as Nanoassembly and advanced materials.