Fluids & thermodynamics

A thorough analysis of fluids and thermodynamic behaviour at the start of the design process is crucial. By understanding how heat will flow and how fluids and gases will interact with the proposed system, the time and cost of iteration and testing can be greatly reduced.

We use our expertise to ensure appropriate device specifications and optimise heat transfer in relation to critical components – an increasingly complex challenge as consumer products and batteries become ever smaller.

Our expertise in fluids and thermodynamics empowers our medical technology clients to overcome complex challenges, including:

- Thermal problems of amplifying DNA during PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

- Blood separation to identify CTCs (circulating tumour cells) during cancer diagnosis and treatment

- Liquid biopsy for clinical diagnostics

- Extracting gas out of a liquid (e.g. extracting air out of a drug prior to injection)

- Aerosol science, including liquid nebulisers, sprays and inhalers

By taking a fresh look at traditional bulk manufacturing methods, we found a way of producing microcapsules continuously with real-time control of the process.

This new technique for creating microcapsules on demand is more efficient and cost-effective, eliminating the need to produce a full batch. This provides huge flexibility and personalisation opportunities for manufacturers, as well as the promise of increased process control, yield and agility.

Few technology projects we encounter are free of fluid or thermodynamic considerations. Consequently, our expertise dates back almost as far as Cambridge Consultants itself. One of the earliest examples of our success in this field is inkjet printing, from which we created numerous spin-out companies in the 1980s, including Domino and Xaar.

As computing power has increased, our ability to quickly carry out studies using advanced computer-aided engineering (CAE) has continually improved so that, today, we are able to combine our deep scientific understanding and experience in the field with cutting-edge technology and facilities.

Our multidisciplinary teams bring experience in nanofluidics, microfluidics and multiphase fluidics, with particular strengths in aerosol generation at a range of temperatures. We have also made significant investments in DNA liquid aerosols and nebulisers.

As an agnostic technology partner, we provide our clients with an informed yet impartial view of all available technologies and applications.