What is Different About Fluid Dynamics at the Nanoscale?
At the nanoscale, the behavior of fluids deviates significantly from macroscale behavior. Some factors that contribute to these differences include:
- Surface-to-volume ratio: At the nanoscale, the surface-to-volume ratio is extremely high, meaning surface interactions dominate over bulk properties. - Quantum effects: Quantum mechanics can play a significant role, particularly in the behavior of electrons and atoms at interfaces. - Viscosity: The effective viscosity can change due to confinement effects and interactions with nanomaterials. - Thermal fluctuations: Thermal motion can significantly impact fluid behavior at this scale.
