arXiv subjects

Fathollah Varnik

Publications and source records attributed to Fathollah Varnik.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Fluctuations and diffusion in sheared athermal suspensions of deformable particles

We analyze fluctuations of particle displacements and stresses in a sheared athermal suspension of elastic capsules (red blood cells). Upon variation of the volume fraction from the dilute up to the highly concentrated regime, our numerical simulations reveal different characteristic power-law regimes of the fluctuation variances and relaxation times. In the jammed phase and at high shear rates, anomalous scaling exponents are found that deviate from pure dimensional predictions. The observed behavior is rationalized via kinetic arguments and a dissipation balance model that takes into account the local fluid flows between the particles. Our findings support the view that the rheology of dense suspensions is essentially governed by the non-affine displacements.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2014

Polyelectrolytes polarization in non-uniform electric fields

Stretching dynamics of polymers in microfluidics is of particular interest for polymer scientists. As a charged polymer, a polyelectrolyte can be deformed from its coiled equilibrium configuration to an extended chain by applying uniform or non-uniform electric fields. By means of hybrid lattice Boltzmann-molecular dynamics simulations, we investigate how the condensed counterions around the polyelectrolyte contribute to the polymer stretching in inhomogeneous fields. As an application, we discuss the translocation phenomena and entropic traps, when the driving force is an applied external electric field.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2014

Chapman-Enskog Analysis of Finite Volume Lattice Boltzmann Schemes

In this paper, we provide a systematic analysis of some finite volume lattice Boltzmann schemes in two dimensions. A complete iteration cycle in time evolution of discretized distribution functions is formally divided into collision and propagation (streaming) steps. Considering mass and momentum conserving properties of the collision step, it becomes obvious that changes in the momentum of finite volume cells is just due to the propagation step. Details of the propagation step are discussed for different approximate schemes for the evaluation of fluxes at the boundaries of the finite volume cells. Moreover, a full Chapman-Enskog analysis is conducted allowing to recover the Navier-Stokes equation. As an important result of this analysis, the relation between the lattice Boltzmann relaxation time and the kinematic viscosity of the fluid is derived for each approximate flux evaluation scheme. In particular, it is found that the constant upwind scheme leads to a positive numerical viscosity while the central scheme as well as the linear upwind scheme are free of this artifact.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2014

Rheology of dense suspensions of elastic capsules: normal stresses, yield stress, jamming and confinement effects

We study the shearing rheology of dense suspensions of elastic capsules, taking aggregation-free red blood cells as a physiologically relevant example. Particles are non-Brownian and interact only via hydrodynamics and short-range repulsive forces. An analysis of the different stress mechanisms in the suspension shows that the viscosity is governed by the shear elasticity of the capsules, whereas the repulsive forces are subdominant. Evidence for a dynamic yield stress above a critical volume fraction is provided and related to the elastic properties of the capsules. The shear stress is found to follow a critical jamming scenario and is rather insensitive to the tumbling-to-tank-treading transition. The particle pressure and normal stress differences display some sensitivity to the dynamical state of the cells and exhibit a characteristic scaling, following the behavior of a single particle, in the tank-treading regime. The behavior of the viscosity in the fluid phase is rationalized in terms of effective medium models. Furthermore, the role of confinement effects, which increase the overall magnitude and enhance the shear-thinning of the viscosity, is discussed.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2014

Correlations of plasticity in sheared glasses

In a recent paper [S. Mandal et al., Phys. Rev. E 88, 022129 (2013)] the nature of spatial correlations of plasticity in hard sphere glasses was addressed both via computer simulations and in experiments. It was found that the experimentally obtained correlations obey a power law whereas the correlations from simulations are better fitted by an exponential decay. We here provide direct evidence--- via simulations of a hard sphere glass in 2D---that this discrepancy is a consequence of the finite system size in the 3D simulations. By extending the study to a 2D soft disk model at zero temperature, the robustness of the power-law decay in sheared amorphous solids is underlined. Deviations from a power law occur when either reducing the packing fraction towards the supercooled regime in the case of hard spheres or changing the dissipation mechanism from contact dissipation to a mean-field type drag for the case of soft disks.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2013

Spreading Dynamics of Nanodrops: A Lattice Boltzmann Study

Spreading of nano-droplets is an interesting and technologically relevant phenomenon where thermal fluctuations lead to unexpected deviations from well-known deterministic laws. Here, we apply the newly developed fluctuating non-ideal lattice Boltzmann method [Gross et al., J. Stat. Mech., P03030 (2011)] for the study of this issue. Confirming the predictions of Davidovich and coworkers [PRL 95, 244905 (2005)], we provide the first independent evidence for the existence of an asymptotic, self-similar noise-driven spreading regime in both two- and three-dimensional geometry. The cross over from the deterministic Tanner's law, where the drop's base radius $b$ grows (in 3D) with time as $b \sim t^{1/10}$ and the noise dominated regime where $b \sim t^{1/6}$ is also observed by tuning the strength of thermal noise.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2013

Crossover from tumbling to tank-treading-like motion in dense simulated suspensions of red blood cells

Via computer simulations, we provide evidence that the shear rate induced red blood cell tumbling-to-tank-treading transition also occurs at quite high volume fractions, where collective effects are important. The transition takes place as the ratio of suspension stress to the characteristic cell membrane stress exceeds a certain value, independent of volume fraction and cell deformability. This value coincides with that for a transition from an orientationally less ordered to a highly ordered phase. The average cell deformation does not show any signature of the transition, but rather follows a simple scaling law independent of volume fraction.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2013

Single particle fluctuations and directional correlations in driven hard sphere glasses

Via event driven molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, we study the packing fraction and shear-rate dependence of single particle fluctuations and dynamic correlations in hard sphere glasses under shear. At packing fractions above the glass transition, correlations increase as shear rate decreases: the exponential tail in the distribution of single particle jumps broadens and dynamic four-point correlations increase. Interestingly, however, upon decreasing the packing fraction, a broadening of the exponential tail is also observed, while dynamic heterogeneity is shown to decrease. An explanation for this behavior is proposed in terms of a competition between shear and thermal fluctuations. Building upon our previous studies [Chikkadi et al, Europhys. Lett. (2012)], we further address the issue of anisotropy of the dynamic correlations.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2013

Interfacial roughening in non-ideal fluids: Dynamic scaling in the weak- and strong-damping regime

Interfacial roughening denotes the nonequilibrium process by which an initially flat interface reaches its equilibrium state, characterized by the presence of thermally excited capillary waves. Roughening of fluid interfaces has been first analyzed by Flekkoy and Rothman [Phys. Rev. Lett. 75, 260 (1995)], where the dynamic scaling exponents in the weakly damped case in two dimensions were found to agree with the Kardar-Parisi-Zhang universality class. We extend this work by taking into account also the strong-damping regime and perform extensive fluctuating hydrodynamics simulations in two dimensions using the Lattice Boltzmann method. We show that the dynamic scaling behavior is different in the weakly and strongly damped case.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Maintaining the equipartition theorem in small heterogeneous molecular dynamics ensembles

It has been reported recently that the equipartition theorem is violated in molecular dynamics simulations with periodic boundary condition [Shirts et al, J. Chem. Phys. 125, 164102 (2006)]. This effect is associated with the conservation of the center of mass momentum. Here, we propose a fluctuating center of mass molecular dynamics approach (FCMMD) to solve this problem. Using the analogy to a system exchanging momentum with its surroundings, we work out --and validate via simulations-- an expression for the rate at which fluctuations shall be added to the system. The restoration of equipartition within the FCMMD is then shown both at equilibrium as well as beyond equilibrium in the linear response regime.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2013

Chain deformation helps translocation

Deformation of single stranded DNA in translocation process before reaching the pore is investigated. By solving the Laplace equation in a suitable coordinate system and with appropriate boundary conditions, an approximate solution for the electric field inside and outside of a narrow pore is obtained. With an analysis based on "electrohydrodynamic equivalence" we determine the possibility of extension of a charged polymer due to the presence of an electric field gradient in the vicinity of the pore entrance. With a multi-scale hybrid simulation (LB-MD), it is shown that an effective deformation before reaching the pore occurs which facilitates the process of finding the entrance for the end monomers. We also highlight the role of long range hydrodynamic interactions via comparison of the LB-MD results with those obtained using a Langevin thermostat instead of the LB solver.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2012

Critical dynamics of an isothermal compressible non-ideal fluid

A pure fluid at its critical point shows a dramatic slow-down in its dynamics, due to a divergence of the order-parameter susceptibility and the coefficient of heat transport. Under isothermal conditions, however, sound waves provide the only possible relaxation mechanism for order-parameter fluctuations. Here we study the critical dynamics of an isothermal, compressible non-ideal fluid via scaling arguments and computer simulations of the corresponding fluctuating hydrodynamics equations. We show that, below a critical dimension of 4, the order-parameter dynamics of an isothermal fluid effectively reduces to "model A," characterized by overdamped sound waves and a divergent bulk viscosity. In contrast, the shear viscosity remains finite above two dimensions. Possible applications of the model are discussed.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2012

Heterogeneous shear in hard sphere glasses

There is growing evidence that the flow of driven amorphous solids is not homogeneous, even if the macroscopic stress is constant across the system. Via event driven molecular dynamics simulations of a hard sphere glass, we provide the first direct evidence for a correlation between the fluctuations of the local volume-fraction and the fluctuations of the local shear rate. Higher shear rates do preferentially occur at regions of lower density and vice versa. The temporal behavior of fluctuations is governed by a characteristic time scale, which, when measured in units of strain, is independent of shear rate in the investigated range. Interestingly, the correlation volume is also roughly constant for the same range of shear rates. A possible connection between these two observations is discussed.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2011

Dynamics of cylindrical droplets on flat substrate: Lattice Boltzmann modeling versus simple analytic models

The steady state motion of cylindrical droplets under the action of external body force is investigated both theoretically and via lattice Boltzmann simulation. As long as the shape-invariance of droplet is maintained, the droplet's center-of-mass velocity linearly scales with both the force density and the square of droplet radius. However, a non-linear behavior appears as the droplet deformation becomes significant. This deformation is associated with the drop elongation occurring at sufficiently high external forcing. Yet, independent of either the force density or the droplet size, the center-of-mass velocity is found to be linear in terms of the inverse of dynamic viscosity. In addition, it is shown that the energy is mainly dissipated in a region near the substrate particularly close to the three phase contact line. The total viscous dissipation is found to be proportional to both the square of force density and the inverse of dynamic viscosity. Moreover, the dependence of the center-of-mass velocity on the equilibrium contact angle is investigated. A simple analytic model is provided reproducing the observed behavior.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Fall and rise of small droplets on rough hydrophobic substrates

Liquid droplets on patterned hydrophobic substrates are typically observed either in the Wenzel or the Cassie state. Here we show that for droplets of comparable size to the roughness scale an additional local equilibrium state exists, where the droplet is immersed in the texture, but not yet contacts the bottom grooves. Upon evaporation, a droplet in this state enters the Cassie state, leading to a qualitatively new self-cleaning mechanism. The effect is of generic character and is expected to occur in any hydrophobic capillary wetting situation where a spherical liquid reservoir is involved.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Efficient and accurate simulations of deformable particles immersed in a fluid using a combined immersed boundary lattice Boltzmann finite element method

The deformation of an initially spherical capsule, freely suspended in simple shear flow, can be computed analytically in the limit of small deformations [D. Barthes-Biesel, J. M. Rallison, The Time-Dependent Deformation of a Capsule Freely Suspended in a Linear Shear Flow, J. Fluid Mech. 113 (1981) 251-267]. Those analytic approximations are used to study the influence of the mesh tessellation method, the spatial resolution, and the discrete delta function of the immersed boundary method on the numerical results obtained by a coupled immersed boundary lattice Boltzmann finite element method. For the description of the capsule membrane, a finite element method and the Skalak constitutive model [R. Skalak et al., Strain Energy Function of Red Blood Cell Membranes, Biophys. J. 13 (1973) 245-264] have been employed. Our primary goal is the investigation of the presented model for small resolutions to provide a sound basis for efficient but accurate simulations of multiple deformable particles immersed in a fluid. We come to the conclusion that details of the membrane mesh, as tessellation method and resolution, play only a minor role. The hydrodynamic resolution, i.e., the width of the discrete delta function, can significantly influence the accuracy of the simulations. The discretization of the delta function introduces an artificial length scale, which effectively changes the radius and the deformability of the capsule. We discuss possibilities of reducing the computing time of simulations of deformable objects immersed in a fluid while maintaining high accuracy.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Inertia effects and stress accumulation in a constricted duct: A combined experimental and lattice Boltzmann study

We experimentally and numerically investigate the flow of a Newtonian fluid through a constricted geometry for Reynolds numbers in the range $0.1 - 100$. The major aim is to study non-linear inertia effects at larger Reynolds numbers (>10) on the shear stress evolution in the fluid. This is of particular importance for blood flow as some biophysical processes in blood are sensitive to shear stresses, e.g., the initialization of blood clotting. We employ the lattice Boltzmann method for the simulations. The conclusion of the predictions is that the peak value of shear stress in the constriction grows disproportionally fast with the Reynolds number which leads to a non-linear shear stress accumulation. As a consequence, the combination of constricted blood vessel geometries and large Reynolds numbers may increase the risk of undesired blood clotting.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2010

Shear stress in lattice Boltzmann simulations

A thorough study of shear stress within the lattice Boltzmann method is provided. Via standard multiscale Chapman-Enskog expansion we investigate the dependence of the error in shear stress on grid resolution showing that the shear stress obtained by the lattice Boltzmann method is second order accurate. This convergence, however, is usually spoiled by the boundary conditions. It is also investigated which value of the relaxation parameter minimizes the error. Furthermore, for simulations using velocity boundary conditions, an artificial mass increase is often observed. This is a consequence of the compressibility of the lattice Boltzmann fluid. We investigate this issue and derive an analytic expression for the time-dependence of the fluid density in terms of the Reynolds number, Mach number and a geometric factor for the case of a Poiseuille flow through a rectangular channel in three dimensions. Comparison of the analytic expression with results of lattice Boltzmann simulations shows excellent agreement.

cond-mat.other↗