Velocity Inversion in Nanochannel Flow

Abstract

The nanoscale cylindrical Couette flow is investigated by means of molecular dynamics simulations, in the case where the inner cylinder is rotating whereas the outer cylinder is at rest. We find that the tangential velocity of the flow is inverted when the fluid-wall interaction near the outer cylinder is weak and the fluid density is low. The unusual velocity inversion behavior is shown to be strongly related to the degree of the slip between the fluid and the outer cylinder, which is determined by the presence or absence of the layering of the fluid near the outer wall.