The effect of shape on the margination dynamics of non-neutrally buoyant particles in two-dimensional shear flows.
The margination dynamics of microparticles with different shapes has been analyzed within a laminar flow mimicking the hydrodynamic conditions in the microcirculation. Silica spherical particles, quasi-hemispherical and discoidal silicon particles have been perfused in a parallel plate flow chamber. The effect of the shape and density on their margination propensity has been investigated at different physiologically relevant shear rates S. Simple scaling laws have been derived showing that the number n of marginating particles scales as S(-0.63) for the spheres; S(-0.85) for discoidal and S(-1) for quasi-hemispherical particles, regardless of their density and size. Within the range considered for the shear rate, discoidal particles marginate in a larger number compared to quasi-hemispherical and spherical particles. These results may be of interest in drug delivery and bio-imaging applications, where particles are expected to drift towards and interact with the walls of the blood vessels.
BioNEM-Center of Bio-/Nanotechnology and-/Engineering for Medicine, University of Magna Graecia at Catanzaro, Viale Europa, Loc. Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
F
F
Gentile
C
C
Chiappini
D
D
Fine
R C
RC
Bhavane
M S
MS
Peluccio
M Ming-Cheng
MM
Cheng
X
X
Liu
M
M
Ferrari
P
P
Decuzzi
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000379:methods*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004548:Elasticity; D004867:Equipment Design; D005898:Glass; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D010316:Particle Size; D016062:Porosity; D033081:Shear Strength; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012984:Software; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors
D012822:Silicon Dioxide