Thin film flows of complex fluids in micro-fluidic applications.

Film flows occur over a wide range of length and time scales and are central to
numerous applications in engineering, physics & biomechanics. Flows over
variable topography often lead to undesirable variations of film thickness or
technologically important pattern formation. Often the flowing material is a
polymer solution, but such studies are limited. In microelectronic applications,
polymer solutions are used for coating substrates with micro-topography. Hence
the developing film may not wet a trench in the topography or retain a uniform
concentration, both effects dramatically decrease the product quality, but are
not understood. In microfluidics, it is of interest to reduce drag by
fabricating walls with periodic trenches of θπ το few tenths of μm in dimension,
inside which air is entrapped, and liquid cannot penetrate - super-hydrophobic
surfaces. Trench geometry, flow direction, liquid-solid affinity, etc. play a
crucial role in the development and maintenance of gas inclusions. 

This project aims at understanding the following:
1.	Transient coating of patterned substrates allowing for air encapsulation in
two and three dimensions
2.	Stability of Newtonian or viscoelastic film flowing over patterned substrates
with or without air inclusions between them
3.	Stress-induced migration of polymer chains in solution in steady film flow
over topography

Skills and experience that will be considered positively include:
1.	Good Knowledge of Fluid Mechanics and Rheology.
2.	Programming in C#, C++, FORTRAN and code parallelization.
3.      Good knowledge of finite element methods.
4.	Ability to work independently and as a team member.

The selected researcher will receive health insurance and financial support
commensurate with his/her experience and skills.