title: Characteristics of the parallel-plate flow chamber for mechanical stimulation of bone cells under microgravity.
abstract: We show the use of a dimensionless parameter alpha h, in properly downscaling a parallel-plate flow chamber system for flow stimulation of bone cells under microgravity. The proper experimental regime for exposing cells to predictable levels of dynamic fluid shear stress requires: 1) alpha h < 2, based on the consequent quasi-parabolic form of the velocity profile in this regime, and 2) fo m<fc, where the critical frequency fc is the upper threshold for this flow regime, m is the highest harmonic mode of the flow, and fo is the fundamental frequency of fluid flow.
authors.affiliation: ACTA-Vrije Universiteit, Dept Oral Cell Biology, Van der Boechorststraat, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. rg.bacabac.ocb.acta@med.vu.nl
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bacabac
authors.forename: Th H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Heethaar
authors.forename: J J W A
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van Loon
authors.forename: M J M B
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pourquie
authors.forename: F T M
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Nieuwstadt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Klein-Nulend