Molecular understanding of osmosis and a multiscale framework to investigate confined fluid properties

Raghunathan, Anjan V.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/15563 Copy

Description

Title

Molecular understanding of osmosis and a multiscale framework to investigate confined fluid properties

Author(s)

Raghunathan, Anjan V.

Issue Date

2010-05-14T20:50:33Z

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Aluru, Narayana R.

Doctoral Committee Chair(s)

Aluru, Narayana R.

Committee Member(s)

• Georgiadis, John G.
• Ravaioli, Umberto
• Tajkhorshid, Emad

Department of Study

Mechanical Sci & Engineering

Discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Level

Dissertation

Keyword(s)

• Multiscale simulations
• Nanofluidics
• Osmosis

Abstract

Understanding the fluid structure and behavior in nanoscale confinements is of major importance in a wide variety of applications including biological and engineering devices. A critical biological application in which the physics at the nanoscale is important is osmosis. Critical functions of life as well as technology to develop better water filtration systems depends on a fundamental understanding of osmosis. In this thesis, first, a molecular understanding of osmosis in uncharged and charged semi-permeable membranes is developed using Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation studies. Specifically, we identify key inter-molecular forces that initiate osmosis in uncharged and charged membranes and explain the significance of various inter-molecular forces as the system evolves to a steady-state. We also investigate the effect of size-asymmetric electrolytes on osmosis through uncharged semi-permeable membranes. Second, we develop a multiscale framework to investigate fluids in confinement. Since the atomistic simulations are extremely computational, they become intractable at very large length scales. Also, the classical continuum theory breaks down at the atomistic level. Towards the goals of bridging the two scales, we formulate a semi-classical framework to predict the concentration and potential profiles of LJ fluids confined in channels of widths ranging from 2 sigma to 100 sigma (sigma is the fluid-fluid LJ parameter). The semi-classical framework utilizes the Nernst-Planck equation coupled with a theoretical potential formulation to obtain the accurate concentration and potential profiles in a channel. The results obtained from the semi-classical framework are then compared with results obtained from MD simulations in the channel.

Graduation Semester

2010-5

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/15563

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2010 Anjan V Raghunathan

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