Computational fluid dynamics method for determining the rotational diffusion coefficient of cells.

Abstract

This work presents a straightforward computational method to estimate rotational diffusion coefficient Dr of cells and particles of various size using continuum fluid mechanics theory. We calculate the torque ( Γ ) for cells and particles immersed in fluids to find the mobility coefficient μ and then obtain Dr by substituting Γ in the Einstein relation. Geometries are constructed using triangular mesh, and the model is solved with computational fluid dynamics techniques. This method is less intensive and more efficient than widely used models. We simulate eight different particle geometries and compare the results with previous literature.