Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
As the name suggests, multicomponent fluids are ones that contain more than a single species or component. Such fluids are ubiquitous in nature (e.g. air, blood) and the chemical industries (e.g. electrolyte solutions, beer). If any or all of these components appear in high enough concentrations then the standard equations describing the motion of the fluid and its components are phenomenologically incorrect. Such equations are usually based on the Stokes- Einstein theory of transport; however, it can be shown that a more accurate description for multi-component fluids is afforded by the so called Maxwell- Stefan approach. In this project we will compare each of these approaches by using them as the basis for developing a transport model for an electrolyte solution in an electric field. Numerical methods will be used to solve these model equations. The fluid structures that result will also be investigated as these structures have an important role to play at the nano-scale of modern day energy storage technologies such as batteries and solar cells. This project is motivated by industrial research collaboration with an Australian solar cell company.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Associate Professor Troy Farrell
