Fluidwegen

Fluidwegen is a term used to describe networks of interconnected channels and conduits that guide the flow of liquids within a system. The concept applies across several engineering and scientific fields, including microfluidics, thermal management, and chemical processing, where the arrangement of channels determines how fluids move, mix, and transfer energy or species.

A typical Fluidwegen comprises channels, junctions, reservoirs, and often active or passive components such as pumps, valves, gauges, and sensors. The geometry of the network—channel cross-sections, lengths, branch points, and curvature—controls pressure distribution, flow rate, residence time, and mixing behavior. In microfluidic systems, laminar flow and diffusion dominate, allowing precise control of reactions and analyses at small volumes. In cooling circuits, Fluidwegen are designed to maximize heat removal while minimizing pressure drop and dead volumes.

Design considerations for Fluidwegen include material compatibility, pressure and temperature limits, manufacturability, and reliability. Dimensionless numbers such as the Reynolds and Peclet numbers help predict flow regimes and transport processes. Manufacturing methods range from photolithography and etching for microchannels to 3D printing and machining for larger systems. Materials vary from polymers and glass in microfluidics to metals and composites in industrial applications.

Common applications span lab-on-a-chip devices, chemical synthesis platforms, medical diagnostics, and electronic cooling systems. Related concepts include hydraulic circuits, fluidic networks, and thermal-fluid design.