Beating synthetic cilia enhance heat transport in microfluidic channels

Using computational modeling, we probed the utility of actuated synthetic cilia for enhancing heat transport in microfluidic channels. Cilia are elastic filaments that are attached to the bottom channel wall with a constant tilt and actuated by a periodical vertical force applied to their free ends. We show that periodical oscillations of elastic cilia mix the heated fluid and create secondary flows in the microchannel that facilitate heat transport between channel walls. The magnitude of the secondary flows and the cilium deformation pattern are controlled by the frequency and amplitude of the periodic driving force. Thus, by varying the force parameters one can effectively regulate the local heat transport in ciliated microchannels.