What are the Mechanisms of Mass Transport at the Nanoscale?
Mass transport at the nanoscale can occur through various mechanisms, including:
Diffusion: The random movement of particles from regions of high concentration to low concentration. This is especially important in nanoporous materials. Convection: The bulk movement of fluids, which can be driven by differences in pressure or temperature. This is often used in microfluidic devices. Electrophoresis: The movement of charged particles under the influence of an electric field, used in techniques like nanoparticle separation. Thermophoresis: The movement of particles due to a temperature gradient, relevant in thermal management applications.