Module Code - Title:

ME4736 - PHYSIOLOGICAL FLUID MECHANICS 1

Year Last Offered:

2025/6

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

2

Tutorial

1

Other

0

Private

5

Credits

6

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

ME4412

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To introduce the students to the field of physiological fluid mechanics, develop their knowledge of physiological fluid flows including airflow, blood flow and urology, study these flows in straight, rigid and compliant tubes and examine transport phenomena in biological systems, viscous flow, inviscid flow.

Syllabus:

Viscous and inviscid flow theory and applications. The role of transport phenomena in biological systems and the definition of these processes, including momentum, convection, diffusion and binding interactions. Introduction to the primary physiological convective transport systems: cardiovascular system, respiratory system, urological and lymph systems. Properties of physiological fluids and constitutive relations; Newtons law of viscosity, non-Newtonian rheology and time dependant viscoelastic behaviour. The derivation of the conservation relations for fluid transport, dimensional analysis and scaling. Introduction to Mass Transfer, Ficks law of diffusion. Transport of Gases between blood and tissues: oxygen-haemoglobin equilibria and the dynamics of oxygenation of blood in lung capillaries.

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Given an inviscid fluid flow system determine stream functions, velocity potentials and pressure distribution. Given a viscous fluid flow system, determine fluid flow properties. Characterise and describe the nature of a physiological fluid derive the governing equations of a steady. physiological fluid flow in a straight rigid tube. Derive the governing equations of a fluid flow in a straight rigid tube and compare to steady flow. Characterise, quantify and describe the flow behaviour and describe the heart and lungs as pumps. Derive and scale the equations of heat, mass and momentum transfer. Articulate Stokes Drag law and its consequence for fluid flow over small particles. Articulate Ficks law of diffusion and to calculate the diffusion coefficient of simple shapes. Analyse simple biological systems to predict mass transfer.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

N/A

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

lectures, tutorials and laboratories

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Linked to on-going research in CABER

Prime Texts:

Berger, S.A., Goldsmith, W. and Lewis, E.R (1996) Introduction to Bioengineering. , Oxford University Press

Rubenstein DA, Yin w, Frame MD. (2012) Biofluid Mechanics. , Elsevier

Vardy, A. (2004) Fluid Principles , McGraw Hill

Other Relevant Texts:

Massey B. (2006) Mechanics of Fluids 8th Edition , Taylor and Francis

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester(s) Module is Offered:

Module Leader:

Michael.Walsh@ul.ie