title: Discrete Boltzmann equation for microfluidics.
abstract: We propose a discrete Boltzmann model for microfluidics based on the Boltzmann equation with external forces using a single relaxation time collision model. Considering the electrostatic interactions in microfluidics systems, we introduce an equilibrium distribution function that differs from the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution by an exponential factor to represent the action of an external force field. A statistical mechanical approach is applied to derive the equivalent external acceleration force exerting on the lattice particles based on a mean-field approximation, resulting from the electro-static potential energy and intermolecular potential energy between fluid-fluid and fluid-substrate interactions.
authors.affiliation: Nanoscale Technology and Engineering Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2G8, Canada.
authors.forename: Baoming
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Daniel Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Kwok