Wall-mounted flexible microcantilevers for enhanced flow and heat transfer in a channel

This study investigates the dynamic fluid–structure interactions and thermal performance of wall-mounted flexible vertical microcantilevers in a confined channel under varying flow conditions. The results reveal that the microcantilevers exhibit significant deformation in response to changes in flow velocity, aligning with the dominant flow direction to minimize resistance and stabilize the system. The interaction between microcantilever deflection and fluid flow leads to the formation of vortices in the wake region, with their intensity modulated by the velocity profile and microcantilever positioning. The thermal analysis highlights the interplay of conduction and convection, with conduction dominating at low Reynolds numbers and convection becoming prevalent at higher flow velocities. The tip deflection of the microcantilevers and the temporal average Nusselt number at the top wall are found to increase significantly with Reynolds number, revealing enhanced fluid–structure interaction and convective heat transfer efficiency. For instance, the tip deflection and temporal average Nusselt number increase by 90.4% and 63.4%, respectively, as the Reynolds number rises from 50 to 100. Channel geometry also plays a critical role; reduced channel heights amplify horizontal velocity, shear stresses, and heat transfer, emphasizing the influence of geometric constraints on system dynamics. The introduction of a second vertical microcantilever and variations in microcantilever spacing reveal negligible effects on the temporal average Nusselt number at the top wall but complex structural responses, such as increased backward deflection during reverse flow. These findings provide insights into optimizing microfluidic systems, heat exchangers, and other applications involving fluid–structure interactions. This study highlights the importance of coupling structural flexibility with fluid dynamics to achieve superior mechanical and thermal performance under varying operating conditions.