Tissue fluids in microchannel subjected to an externally applied electric potential

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of an electroosmotic dynamic model to simulate the transport phenomena in association with the electric therapy in modern medicine. Design/methodology/approach - The present study builds a new model by employing SUPG finite element method to solve the electroosmotic transport equation in microchannels of human body. Findings - The present electroosmotic finite element analysis demonstrated that the electric treatment has a better curative effect. Research limitations/implications - The governing electric field equations for tissue fluids in microchannel include the Laplace equation for the effective electrical potential and the Helmholtz equation for the electrical potential established in the electric double layer (EDL). The transport equations governing the hydrodynamic field variables include the mass conservation equation for the electrolyte and the equations of motion for the incompressible charged fluids subject to an electroosmotic body force. Practical implications - The phenomena of microchannels are dominated by elliptic equations, Laplace, Helmholtz and diffusion equations (Navier Stokes equations at Re = 0.0259). These governing equations explain why the reaction of electric treatment is very fast, even immediate. Originality/value - The analysis of the coupled hydrodynamic and electrical fields, the externally applied electric potential has been shown to be an aid to accelerate the tissue fluid due to the formation of an EDL. Interaction of plasma and tissue fluids in human body is also revealed.