[Jasmina92]

Hello!
I am about to start my diploma thesis in the field of simulation of 3D-plotting (bioprinting) process.
In that process, a hydrogel flows through a nozzel (0.5 mm diam.) an should form a small construct when hardening.

This hydrogel (Alginate) contains cells. There is an interest in obtaining the shear stress affecting the cells.
Therefore a numerical calculation (simulation) should determine and illustrate the pressure-induced shear stress prevailing in the nozzel.
Unfortunatly I am still a beginner in building simulations, i just did a laminar fluid flow simulation (non newtonian fluid) with ANSYS CFX.

So the first, biggest questions are:
When is it necessary to include the cells as particals in a slurry?
Or is it sufficient to model the hydrogel as a non newtonian fluid with the according (rheological) fluid data, and NO particals included? I think you could assume shear stress acting on the Hydrogel = shear stress acting on the cells.
Is this a concentration-depending decision? Or a cell size-depending one?
When considering a slurry, which fluid models can be put into question? Is openFoam a possible software to handle those? Is this a problem of DEM (discrete element method) - and not FEM / FVM anymore?

Many questions, Im sorry. It would be a giant help finding some answers or if you could recommend some sources for my "basics"-research. (Gladly in german )
Many Thanks!

[srinc]

Hi Jasmina,

Were you able to find an answer to the question? I am trying to model cells in a collagen matrix (laminar flow) using openFoam. Is it enough if I consider it as a non-Newtonian fluid? Did you model the cells too? Your reply would be helpful. Thanks!