Free-surface problems in electrokinetic micro- and nanofluidics

Shizhi Qian, Old Dominion University
Sang W. Joo, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Yingtao Jiang, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Marcos A. Cheney, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Abstract

With the development of novel micro- and nanofluidic devices, applications of flows with moving interfaces are in increasing demand. Problems in ultra-small scale with moving boundaries, which have not yet been exploited rigorously, are discussed with focus on electrokinetic flows. A generic formulation for moving interfaces, applicable to micro- and nanoscale electrokinetic flows, is provided, and actual free-surface problems in electroosmosis and electrophoresis are presented.