Flow boundary conditions from nano- to micro-scales

Abstract

The development of microfluidic devices has recently revived the interest in "old" problems associated with transport at, or across, interfaces. As the characteristic sizes are decreased, the use of pressure gradients to transport fluids becomes problematic, and new, interface driven, methods must be considered. This has lead to new investigations of flow near interfaces, and to the conception of interfaces engineered at various scales to reduce flow friction. In this review, we discuss the present theoretical understanding of flow past solid interfaces at different length scales. We also briefly discuss the corresponding phenomenon of heat transport, and the influence of surface slip on interface driven ( electro-osmotic) flows.