Lattice-Boltzmann modelling for inertial particle microfluidics applications - a tutorial review

Inertial particle microfluidics (IPMF) is an emerging technology for the manipulation and separation of microparticles and biological cells. Since the flow physics of IPMF is complex and experimental studies are often time-consuming or costly, computer simulations can offer complementary insights. In this tutorial review, we provide a guide for researchers who are exploring the potential of the lattice-Boltzmann (LB) method for simulating IPMF applications. We first review the existing literature to establish the state of the art of LB-based IPMF modelling. After summarising the physics of IPMF, we then present related methods used in LB models for IPMF and show several case studies of LB simulations for a range of IPMF scenarios. Finally, we conclude with an outlook and several proposed research directions. [GRAPHICS]

Automated summary

Inertial Particle Microfluidics (IPMF) is a technology used for manipulating and separating microparticles and biological cells. This tutorial review provides a guide for researchers interested in simulating IPMF applications using the lattice-Boltzmann (LB) method, including the state of the art of LB-based IPMF modelling, physics of IPMF, related methods used in LB models, case studies of LB simulations for different IPMF scenarios, and proposed research directions.