Nanoparticle shapes effects on unsteady physiological transport of nanofluids through a finite length non-uniform channel

Abstract

An analytical investigation is presented to study the unsteady peristaltic transport of nanofluids. Three different geometries of nanoparticle viz bricks, cylinder and platelets are considered in our analysis. The flow geometry is taken as nonuniform channel of finite length to explore our model for wide range of biomedical applications. Exact solutions are obtained for the non-dimensional governing equations subject to physically realistic boundary conditions. The effects of nanoparticle shapes on effective thermal conductivity, axial velocity, transverse velocity, temperature, and pressure difference distributions along the length of non-uniform channel with variation of different flow parameters are discussed with the help of graphical illustrations. It is observed that platelet shaped nanoparticles carry maximum velocity whereas brick shaped nanoparticles are the best to enhance the thermal conductivity. An inherent property of peristaltic transport i.e. trapping is also discussed. This model is applicable in drugs delivery system where different geometries of drugs are delivered and it is also applicable to design a microperistaltic pump for transportation of nanofluids. Keywords: Unsteady flow, Peristalsis, Nanofluids, Nanoparticle shapes, Non-uniform channel