Data Acquisition and Physical Interpretation With Respect to Micro Channel Flows: A Delicate Issue

This study is meant as a warning and an encouragement alike, when it comes to data aquisition, processing and interpretation in micro sized devices. In our study we start with the raw data gained from radial channel flow between two opposing discs with flow from the centre to the edge. Processing these data with certain concepts of Knudsen number, or more general “micro effects” in mind, is shown to be not at all straightforward. Depending on how critically these data are looked upon and how deep the experimental device is analysed very different “results” are gained.Copyright © 2009 by ASME