A two-phase fluid structure interaction model of mucociliary clearance driven by cilium

This study addresses the critical role of mucociliary clearance in respiratory health by developing a novel two-phase fluid-structure interaction model. The aim is to simulate realistic mucus transport driven by ciliary motion. Using direct cilia modeling and Carreau non-Newtonian rheology for the mucus layer, the model incorporates a new method for prescribing cilia beat patterns. Two-phase fluid-structure interaction simulations reveal how cilia dynamics and mucus properties interact to influence clearance efficiency. These findings highlight the importance of fluid-structure coupling and mucus rheology in replicating physiological transport, offering insights for understanding airway diseases and designing therapeutic interventions.