What are the Factors Influencing Viscous Drag at the Nanoscale?
Several factors influence viscous drag at the nanoscale:
Viscosity of the Fluid: Higher viscosity results in greater drag. For instance, moving through a viscous medium like honey would be much more difficult than moving through water. Size and Shape of Nanoparticles: Smaller particles experience higher relative drag, and the shape can also affect how easily they move through the fluid. Surface Interactions: Surface characteristics such as roughness or the presence of coatings (e.g., PEGylation) can alter drag forces. Flow Conditions: Laminar versus turbulent flow conditions can change the drag experienced by nanoparticles.