Overview
Research at the EPFL Quantum Plumbing Lab explores the dynamics of fluids within nanoscale conduits. This area of study, termed nanofluidics, focuses on how the behavior of liquids, such as water, is influenced when confined to dimensions where only a few molecules can occupy space side-by-side. The investigative focus is on the interplay between classical fluid dynamics and the atomic properties of the confining walls.
Research Context
The human body contains a complex network of minute vessels through which various fluids, including blood and water, flow. When these 'pipes' diminish to the nanoscale, the physical laws governing water behavior undergo modification due to the atomic structure of the surrounding walls. According to Nikita Kavokine, a tenure-track assistant professor and leader of the EPFL Quantum Plumbing Lab, classical hydrodynamics does not cease to apply, but rather it integrates with the principles of condensed matter physics associated with the solid boundaries.
Lead Researcher Perspective
“It’s not that classical hydrodynamics breaks down, but rather that it gets mixed with the condensed matter physics of the solid walls,” says Nikita Kavokine, tenure-track assistant professor and leader of the EPFL Quantum Plumbing Lab.
Why This Matters
Understanding the interaction between classical hydrodynamics and condensed matter physics in nanoscale environments is crucial for comprehending fluid behavior in highly confined systems. This research contributes to a fundamental understanding of fluid transport at dimensions relevant to biological systems and emerging nanotechnologies.