Flow Rectification in Loopy Network Models of Bird Lungs
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-19-2021
Abstract
We demonstrate flow rectification, valveless pumping, or alternating to direct current (AC-to-DC) conversion in macroscale fluidic networks with loops. Inspired by the unique anatomy of bird lungs and the phenomenon of directed airflow throughout the respiration cycle, we hypothesize, test, and validate that multiloop networks exhibit persistent circulation or DC flows when subject to oscillatory or AC forcing at high Reynolds numbers. Experiments reveal that disproportionately stronger circulation is generated for higher frequencies and amplitudes of the imposed oscillations, and this nonlinear response is corroborated by numerical simulations. Visualizations show that flow separation and vortex shedding at network junctions serve the valving function of directing current with appropriate timing in the oscillation cycle. These findings suggest strategies for controlling inertial flows through network topology and junction connectivity.
Identifier
85103114406 (Scopus)
Publication Title
Physical Review Letters
External Full Text Location
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.114501
e-ISSN
10797114
ISSN
00319007
PubMed ID
33798375
Issue
11
Volume
126
Grant
DMS-1720306
Fund Ref
National Science Foundation
Recommended Citation
Nguyen, Quynh M.; Oza, Anand U.; Abouezzi, Joanna; Sun, Guanhua; Childress, Stephen; Frederick, Christina; and Ristroph, Leif, "Flow Rectification in Loopy Network Models of Bird Lungs" (2021). Faculty Publications. 4240.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/fac_pubs/4240
