Nilmini S. Wijeratne
PhD Candidate (curriculum vitae) 
Modeling of Fluid Flow in Collapsible Tubes with one-way membranes
Year Started:  Fall 2003
Anticipated Graduation:  May 2006
Advisor:  Dr. Karlene A. Hoo

MSc., Texas Tech University, 2003
MPhil.Eng., University of Perdeniya, Sri Lanka, 2000
BSc.Eng.,  University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 1994 

Modeling of fluid flow in a collapsible tube is of an interest due to it's numerous application in biological processes such as blood flow in a vein or in chemical processes involving non-Newtonian fluids in flexible structures. As a result of an external force, these systems may exhibit total collapse hindering normal flow. An understanding of the nature of the dynamics of the flow is of importance to characterize the conditions in which collapse can occur.  The current study seeks to address this with and without the presence of a membrane structure that acts as a one way valve regulating the forces that empty and fill the tubes.

The starting point is to understand and solve the mathematical one-dimensional PDE model developed by Pedley, J. T and  Luo, X. Y. (Theo. Compt. Fluid. Dyn, 1998) of a collapsible tube without the membrane restriction. The model will be validated with data taken from the experiments of Buescher and Stefanov.