Peristaltic Flow Dynamics in Non-Newtonian Fluids

Peristaltic flow refers to the transport of fluids induced by the rhythmic contraction and relaxation of enclosing walls, a mechanism ubiquitous in biological systems such as the gastrointestinal tract and in engineered devices like peristaltic pumps. In non-Newtonian fluids, whose rheological response can include shear-thinning, shear-thickening or a yield stress, the interplay between wall kinematics and fluid microstructure gives rise to rich flow phenomena. Mathematical approaches often invoke long-wavelength and low-Reynolds-number approximations to reduce the governing equations, coupling continuity, momentum and constitutive relations under magnetohydrodynamic, thermal and mass-transfer effects. Key parameters—such as fluid behaviour index, Hartmann number, amplitude ratio, thermophoresis and Brownian motion coefficients—critically influence velocity profiles, pressure gradients, bolus formation and heat-mass transfer characteristics. Advances in computational techniques have enabled detailed prediction of trapped bolus patterns and shear stress distributions, informing the design of drug-delivery systems, microfluidic processors and biomedical implants. Globally, understanding peristaltic transport in complex fluids supports innovations in targeted therapy, energy-efficient fluid handling and diagnostic devices.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have provided detailed numerical solutions for MHD peristaltic transport of micropolar nanofluids in porous asymmetric channels. Using long-wavelength and low-Reynolds approximations, researchers have solved the coupled nonlinear equations governing velocity, temperature, particle concentration and microrotation. The analysis highlighted that tuning the Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters can control nanoparticle dispersion and heat flux, while the micropolar parameter influences shear stress distribution. The work suggests that such multiscale flows can be optimised for thermal management and friction reduction in nano- and microfluidic systems.

Peristaltic Flow Dynamics in Non-Newtonian Fluids publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in peristaltic flow dynamics in non-newtonian fluids across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Peristalsis: A mechanism of fluid propulsion driven by progressive contraction and relaxation waves along a conduit wall.

Non-Newtonian fluid: A fluid whose stress–strain relationship deviates from linearity, exhibiting shear-thinning, shear-thickening or yield stress behaviour.

Micropolar fluid: A fluid model accounting for microstructure rotation and couple stresses beyond classical viscosity.

Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD): The study of fluid flow under the influence of magnetic fields, coupling Navier–Stokes and Maxwell’s equations.

Thermophoresis: The movement of particles in a fluid driven by temperature gradients.

Brownian motion: The random thermal motion of microscopic particles suspended in a fluid.

References

1. Heat and mass transfer for MHD peristaltic flow in a micropolar nanofluid: mathematical model with thermophysical features. Scientific Reports (2022).
2. Combined effects of chemical reaction and variable thermal conductivity on MHD peristaltic flow of Phan-Thien-Tanner liquid through inclined channel. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2022).
3. Heat Transfer Attributes of Gold–Silver–Blood Hybrid Nanomaterial Flow in an EMHD Peristaltic Channel with Activation Energy. Nanomaterials (2022).
4. Channel flow of MHD bingham fluid due to peristalsis with multiple chemical reactions: an application to blood flow through narrow arteries. Discover Applied Sciences (2021).