Motion of compliant capsules on corrugated surfaces: A means of sorting by mechanical properties

Microcapsule mechanics: from stability to function

Microcapsules are reviewed with special emphasis on the relevance of controlled mechanical properties for functional aspects. At first, assembly strategies are presented that allow control over the decisive geometrical parameters, diameter and wall thickness, which both influence the capsule's mechanical performance. As one of the most powerful approaches the layer-by-layer technique is identified. Subsequently, ensemble and, in particular, single-capsule deformation techniques are discussed. The latter generally provide more in-depth information and cover the complete range of applicable forces from smaller than pN to N. In a theory chapter, we illustrate the physics of capsule deformation. The main focus is on thin shell theory, which provides a useful approximation for many deformation scenarios. Finally, we give an overview of applications and future perspectives where the specific design of mechanical properties turns microcapsules into (multi-)functional devices, enriching especially life sciences and material sciences.

Mass and momentum transfer across solid-fluid boundaries in the lattice-Boltzmann method

Mass conservation and momentum transfer across solid-fluid boundaries have been active topics through the development of the lattice-Boltzmann method. In this paper, we review typical treatments to prevent net mass transfer across solid-fluid boundaries in the lattice-Boltzmann method, and argue that such efforts are in general not necessary and could lead to incorrect results. Carefully designed simulations are conducted to examine the effects of normal boundary movement, tangential density gradient, and lattice grid resolution. Our simulation results show that the global mass conservation can be well satisfied even with local unbalanced mass transfer at boundary nodes, while a local mass conservation constraint can produce incorrect flow and pressure fields. These simulations suggest that local mass conservation, at either a fluid or solid boundary node, is not only an unnecessary consequence to maintain the global mass conservation, but also harmful for meaningful simulation results. In addition, the concern on the momentum addition and reduction associated with status-changing nodes is also not technically necessary. Although including this momentum addition or reduction has no direct influence on flow and pressure fields, the incorrect fluid-particle interaction may affect simulation results of particulate suspensions.