ANN-based computational framework for EMHD modulated ternary hybrid nanofluid (Ag-GO-ZrO2/blood) flow in a curved atherosclerotic artery

Purpose This study aims to investigate the hemodynamic characteristics when the ternary hybrid nanoparticles are mixed with base fluid (blood) and flowing through a curved tapered overlapped stenosed artery under the influence of electric and magnetic fields. Design/methodology/approach In this work, the silver (Ag), graphene oxide (GO) and zirconium oxide (ZrO2) are dispersed into the base fluid blood resulting in the formation of Ag–GO–ZrO2/blood ternary hybrid nanofluid. Here, the electric and magnetic fields are assumed to be in the axial and azimuthal directions, respectively. The governing equations associated with ternary hybrid nanofluid flow through curved, tapered and stenosed artery are simplified with the nondimensional variables and mild-stenosis approximations. These transformed equations capture the essential hemodynamic characteristics while reducing mathematical complexity. To obtain closed-form solutions, the system is analytically solved with the aid of the DSolve module in Mathematica 12.3. Findings The authors have discussed the impact of various model parameters on the flow characteristics of the ternary hybrid nanofluid flowing through a curved tapered overlapped stenosed artery. Through the present study, it is found that the blood flow velocity rises on increasing ternary hybrid nanoparticle volume fraction but decreases with higher ZrO2 volume fraction. The wall shear stress (WSS) and pressure gradient are higher in the case of diverging artery as compared to nontapered and converging. Additionally, the ANN analysis concludes that the model demonstrates a high degree of accuracy, achieving 99.92% in testing and 99.37% in validation for WSS (HNF) and 99.24% in testing and 99.27% in validation for WSS (THNF). Originality/value The present work advances the study of ternary hybrid nanofluid flow through a curved stenosed artery under the influence of EMHD effects. The study considers the tapering effects of the curved artery by examining three distinct geometries: diverging, nontapered and converging shapes. It offers new perspectives on flow dynamics and contributes to the advancement of targeted drug delivery applications for the arterial diseases.