Theoretical aspects of microscale acoustofluidics

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent theoretical and simulation studies on microscale acoustofluidic systems, focusing on ultrasound-induced effects like radiation force, streaming, and body force in inhomogeneous solutions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in the theory and simulation of microscale acoustofluidic phenomena, including new insights into acoustic body forces.

Findings

Analysis of acoustic radiation force on micro- and nanoparticles

Insights into acoustic streaming in fluids

Discovery of acoustic body force in inhomogeneous solutions

Abstract

Henrik Bruus is professor of lab-chip systems and theoretical physics at the Technical University of Denmark. In this contribution, he summarizes some of the recent results within theory and simulation of microscale acoustofluidic systems that he has obtained in collaboration with his students and international colleagues. The main emphasis is on three dynamical effects induced by external ultrasound fields acting on aqueous solutions and particle suspensions: The acoustic radiation force acting on suspended micro- and nanoparticles, the acoustic streaming appearing in the fluid, and the newly discovered acoustic body force acting on inhomogeneous solutions.