Efficient and Nonintrusive Electropumping of Water in Nanotubes

Electropumping uses a rotating electric field to induce a net positive flow of water in confined nanotubes that are functionalized with carboxyl groups. The thesis demonstrates through simulation that electropumping can be achieved in functionalized nanotubes and concentric nanotubes. The continuum equations are solved and shown to correspond to the results obtained though nonequilibrium molecular dynamics. A comparision of average power dissipation is undertaken for Poiseuille, Couette and Electropumping flows and it is shown that while Electropumping is less efficient than Couette it is orders of magnitude more efficient than Poiseuille.