fluitton

Fluitton is a neologism used in discussions of fluid dynamics and information theory to denote a hypothetical dimensionless measure of the effectiveness with which a fluidic system transmits information. The concept is common in microfluidics and bioengineering as a teaching and modeling aid to illustrate how flow, mixing, diffusion, and signal fidelity interact in channels and networks. There is no official standard definition or unit, and different authors define flottion in ways that fit their models.

Etymology-wise, the term is formed from a reference to fluid processes and the common unit-suffix -ton, chosen to evoke a unit-like, yet informal, concept. It is intended to be qualitative rather than a precise physical quantity, serving as a comparative metric rather than a fixed measurement.

Usage and interpretation are intentionally flexible. In classroom demonstrations or exploratory studies, flottion provides a simple way to compare channel designs or operating conditions. A higher flottion in a given model is typically interpreted as indicating more effective information transport for that setup, while a lower flottion suggests greater information loss or poorer fidelity under the same conditions. Because flottion lacks a standardized definition, practitioners usually specify exactly how they compute it in each context.

Relation to established concepts is indirect. Fluitton is not a replacement for information rate (bits per second), channel capacity, or diffusion metrics; instead, it is a conceptual bridge used to discuss how physical transport phenomena influence information transmission in fluid systems. See also information theory, microfluidics, transport phenomena.