Computational analysis of cilia-mediated flow dynamics of Jeffrey nanofluid in physiologically realistic geometries

Abstract

Cilia play important roles in fluid transport and development by propagating metachronal waves along cell surfaces. This study numerically investigates the biomechanics of cilia-driven flow of Jeffrey nanofluid in a wavy curved channel. The orthogonal curvilinear coordinates are used for the mathematical formulation of the problem in a set of partial differential equations. The governing equations are simplified using the dimensionless numbers and stream functions and then reduced using the long wavelength and low Reynolds number assumptions. Shooting method is applied to determine velocity, temperature, and nanoparticle concentration profiles. The resultant velocity, temperature profiles, nanoparticle concentration profiles, and streamlines are interpreted and elucidated graphically. The parametric analyses systematically examine the impacts of channel curvature, thermal buoyancy forces, nanoparticle concentrations, Jeffrey fluid rheology, and cilia motion kinematics on transport phenomena. Key findings show temperature and concentration gradients strongly influenced by cilia beating. The study provides deeper insight into the influence of these parameters on the cilia-driven flow in a complex wavy curved channel, bearing potential applications in heat transfer systems, nanotechnology, and biotechnology, among other fields.