Vortex, Molecular Spin and Nanovorticity: An Introduction (SpringerBriefs in Physics)

The subject of this book is the physics of vortices. A detailed analysis of the dynamics of vortices will be presented. The important topics of vorticity and molecular spin will be dealt with, including the electromagnetic analogy and quantization in superfluids. The effect of molecular spin on the dynamics of molecular nano-confined fluids using the extended Navier-Stokes equations will also be covered –especially important to the theory and applicability of nanofluidics and associated devices. The nanoscale boundary layer and nanoscale vortex core are regions of intense vorticity (molecular spin). It will be shown, based on molecular kinetic theory and thermodynamics, that the macroscopic (solid body) rotation must be accompanied by internal rotation of the molecules. Electric polarization of the internal molecular rotations about the local rotation axis –the Barnett effect – occurs. In such a spin aligned system, major changes in the physical properties of the fluid result.

Professor McCormack has made significant contributions to the US space program, as an Engineering Science professor at Dartmouth, and later as Chief of Operational Medicine at NASA. He subsequently served as Chief of Aerospace Medicine Research at the Naval Air Warfare Center. He received a US Navy Commendation Medal in 1998, and the German Navy Cross of Honor in 2000. A member of the UIC Bioengineering faculty since 2001, Professor McCormack serves on the Advisory Council for the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), and gives frequent invited talks on nanobiology and radiation damage.