Molecular dynamics simulation of a liquid in a complex nano channel flow

We report some molecular dynamics simulation results for a complex nano channel flow. In certain flow geometry, some of the flow features cannot be predicted by the Navier-Stokes equations with no-slip boundary conditions. The results show a loss of dynamic similarity for flows with similar geometry and global dimensionless flow parameters. Nano-sized vortex flow can be developed at low Reynolds numbers due to near-wall molecules having large enough momenta, resulting in qualitatively different flow field from that predicted by the Navier-Stokes equations. (C) 2002 American Institute of Physics.