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Laboratory Plate Shaker

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Hi everyone
Im new to comsol, I have had some experience with Microfludics module. But now I need to simulate the velocity profile in a laboratory plate shaker (used for denaturing protein-protein interaction). I am interested in the shear stress of the liquid inside the well when the plate is shaking. the well is vey small ( dimensions are in mm).
Could you please tell me what module I can use for this simulation? I have googled and searched many times but I dont seem to find anything relevant to my case. I would also appreciate a little help on how to set up the problem using the relevant module.

Also the well is not fully filled with liquid. we normally put about 100ul of liquid into the well. (not sure if this matters)

Many thanks

1 Reply Last Post 25.09.2013, 10:08 GMT-4
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Hello Saeed Gholhaki

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Posted: 1 decade ago 25.09.2013, 10:08 GMT-4
Hi Saeed,

I've been working on a similar problem as well. My first approach was to use one of the "Turbulent flow" modules from the CFD module. Depending on your fluid and the microfluidics geometry you have to decide which one of those "turbulent flow" modules might be suitable for your system.
If you know the amplitude and rotation speed of your lab plate shaker you'll be able to calculate the accelaration forces on your fluid. I'm afraid you need to do this outside of COMSOL, at least I haven't found a nice way to do it within COMSOL, yet. Even using the "rotating machinery" module didn't work properly for me. However, once you have done that, you can enter your results as "volume forces" to the "turbulent flow".
If you have already found a more sophisticated way to calculate the forces acting on the fluid, i'll be more than happy about your suggestions.

With best regards.
Hi Saeed, I've been working on a similar problem as well. My first approach was to use one of the "Turbulent flow" modules from the CFD module. Depending on your fluid and the microfluidics geometry you have to decide which one of those "turbulent flow" modules might be suitable for your system. If you know the amplitude and rotation speed of your lab plate shaker you'll be able to calculate the accelaration forces on your fluid. I'm afraid you need to do this outside of COMSOL, at least I haven't found a nice way to do it within COMSOL, yet. Even using the "rotating machinery" module didn't work properly for me. However, once you have done that, you can enter your results as "volume forces" to the "turbulent flow". If you have already found a more sophisticated way to calculate the forces acting on the fluid, i'll be more than happy about your suggestions. With best regards.

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