Molecular Transport Phenomena

1. Introduction and motivation for the course.

2. Review of course prerequisites: Review of BSc-level transport phenomena and approaches to problem solving (e.g. microbalances for mass, energy, momentum). Continuum scale and link to molecular scale.

3. Kinetic Theory: Basic assumptions of kinetic gas theory. Mean free path. Maxwell velocity distribution. Calculating pressure from microscopic picture. Effect of intermolecular forces (van der Waals).

4. Binary diffusion: Einstein-Smoluchowski theory - Diffusion as a random walk. Langevin theory. Link to macroscopic description of diffusion.

5. Multicomponent diffusion: Limitations of Ficks first law of diffusion. Diffusion driven by a gradient in chemical potential. Generalized Maxwell-Stefan diffusion model. Multicomponent mass transport.

6. Ion transport and electrohydrodynamics: Transport of an isolated ion. Transport of non-isolated ion. Nernst-Planck transport equations. The Debye-Hückel double layer. Electro-osmotic flow. Electrophoresis for non-isolated particles. Examples of applications.