| Grant number: | 12/14481-8 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | December 01, 2012 |
| End date: | November 30, 2014 |
| Field of knowledge: | Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena |
| Principal Investigator: | Gustavo Carlos Buscaglia |
| Grantee: | Gustavo Carlos Buscaglia |
| Host Institution: | Instituto de Ciências Matemáticas e de Computação (ICMC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil |
| City of the host institution: | São Carlos |
Abstract
This project adresses the development of mathematical models and methods for the simulation of microscopic interfacial phenomena. The focus of the study will be in the current mathematical-numerical challenges that delay the scientific virtual exploration of biochemical devices and hydrodynamic phenomena at the scale of the living cell. The objective is to contribute to the advancement of technology in the areas of: (a) Problems governed by surface tension, in which serious difficulties pervade the modeling of moving contact lines and dynamic contact angles. (b) Dynamics of lipidic membranes: In the past FAPESP grant we developed the first method for 3D simulation of lipidic membrane relaxation (at the continuum level). Further studies are needed to improve this method, render it efficient, and couple it with the different physical mechanisms that act at the micron scale. (c) Analysis of configurational changes of membranes: Biochemical or environmental stimuli can trigger global mechanical changes in biological membranes. With our new dynamical algorithm it is possible to explore different such configurational changes and build a software that can be transferred to biophysicists. (d) Membrane-fluid interaction: Suitable formulations for the coupling of flexible fluidic membranes with the inner and outer fluids, considering also osmotic phenomena. Specially-tailored finite elements will be considered, as those discussed in recent publications of the proponent.Given the many applications in biofluidics and cell mechanics, the methods developed in this project will have high potential impact in the virtual experimentation of micro- and bio-fluids. (AU)
| Articles published in Agência FAPESP Newsletter about the research grant: |
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