| Description |
TITLE: FLUID-STRUCTURE INTERACTIONS: PARTICLES IN JET DROPS, FLUID THROUGH BIOLOGICAL TISSUE, AND THERMAL ABLATION OF SOLID MATERIALS IMMERSED IN FLUID
ABSTRACT: In many natural phenomena, fluid-structure interactions (FSI) occur across multiple scales, demanding careful tracking of fluid and solid displacements. This prospectus investigates three FSI scenarios: particle-laden jet drops, subcutaneous tissue deformation, and thermally driven phase changes. First, we extend earlier studies of particle transport via subsequent jet drops under varying Ohnesorge numbers and particle sizes. Experiments show that when enrichment from the first jet drop diminishes, subsequent drops remain significantly enriched, prompting further investigation through experiments and simulations. We then examine large-volume subcutaneous injections using fluids of known viscosities and flowrates in ex-vivo porkbellies. Comparisons with in-vivo data and poroelastic models reveal that tissue deformation and in-line pressure remain unaffected by changes in flowrate or viscosity, while bleb growth follows a power-law in injected volume. These comparisons contrast with current predictive models and suggest that tissue structure primarily governs the deformation response. Finally, we consider phase change in FSI, focusing on thermodynamic effects in laser lithotripsy. By examining the ablation of ice, we aim to measure temperature gradients and track melting fronts, thus illuminating processes that may guide future optimizations of kidney stone ablation. Collec-tively, these investigations illuminate how fluid-structure interactions unfold in particle-laden jets, subcutaneous tissues, and phase-change processes, offering insights that can guide both theoretical modeling and practical applications.
COMMITTEE: ADVISOR/CHAIR Professor James Bird, ME/MSE; Professor Paul Barbone, ME/MSE; Professor Douglas Holmes, ME/MSE |
