Fluids Engineering Laboratory : Research

We study the fluid dynamics of the various scales from aerospace to human body through a combined approach of experiment and numerical simulation. The major topics are rarefied gas dynamics, multiphase flow dynamics and medical applications of the fluid dynamics including the human body simulator development project. The keyword of our study is the inter-connected effect of the multiscale physics.

Multiscale analysis of rarefied gas flow more detail The motions of individual molecules are of importance for understanding the thermo-fluid field of nano/micro-scale systems and objects in a near-vacuum environment. We focus on the multi-physics phenomena in rarefied gas flow, such as the energy transfer at interfaces and the relaxation processes of poly-atomic molecules in non-equilibrium states, through developments of the technologies of micro shock tubes and nano-scale heat-exchange devices.

Micro-bubble generation system and its application more detail Bubbly-flow is characterised by multi-scale flow structures of continuous and dispersed phases, ranging from micro-scopic (interfacial molecular) level to macro-scopic (vortical and bubble/particle-clustered) structures. A range of flow phenomena involving bubble are studied extensively (including transition of flow behaviour through Marangoni effect, path instability of a single bubble and turbulent modification by bubbles).

Medical application of HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) more detail Since the demands for non/less-invasive treatments in medical applications are becoming ever higher, ultrasound and micro-bubbles attract interests for focusing/releasing the energy at the desired position in a body. We conduct fundamental studies of HIFU treatment for tumour/kidney-stones and gene transportation for drug delivery system, based on the mechanism of heat-generation/diffusion by ultrasound waves and its enhancement by micro-bubbles.

Bio-flow (cardiovascular system and deformed Red Blood Cell) more detail The micro-cardiovascular system facilitates interchange of biological substance between the tissues. Also, the behaviours of RBCs result in vital phenomena, over a range of scales, from molecular/ion exchange through the membrane to the blood flow in a blood vessel. We study the macro-scopic fluid flow in blood vessels affected by the micro-scopic behaviour of the blood cells. Also, the study of biological cells from a view point of mechanical engineering is applied for development/rapture of micro-capsules (with the same constituent as the bio-membrane) for drug delivery system.

The Human Body Simulator Development Project more detail This project is to construct a numerical model of the entire "in-silico" human body for the expected fastest super-computer of the next generation launched in service in 2012, for aiming the development of a total-diagnosis system, medical-assistance tools and a prediction technique for the various diseases linked to internal organs and/or blood flow disorders. In the project, we take part in development of brand-new numerical tools to enable analysis of the multiscale-multiphysics phenomena that occur in the human body.