The induced mechanical energy imparted in the high shear fluid flow in the vortex fluidic device (VFD)[1-3] can be harnessed for a wide range of diverse applications, with the processing potentially high in green chemistry metrics. The high shear in the inclined rapidly rotating tube in the VFD is in the form of micron/submicron topological fluid flows. They arise form Coriolis forces and Faraday waves in the thin film of liquid which is ≥ 200 mm thick. Processing in the VFD, which can be under continuous flow such that scaling up is factored into the science at its inception, lends itself for applying field effects uniformly to the liquid. This includes light sources, plasmas, and magnetic fields, and much of the processing can be done in water, even for sparingly soluble compounds. This ability relates to the high localised temperatures generated in the topological fluid flows, ≤ 630oC, with local pressures up to 1 GPa, in transient hostile topological fluid flow environments.
The presentation will also focus on recent advances in applying UVC light sources and magnetic fields. Of particular note is the impact of the Earth’s magnetic field, BE, on controlling fluid flow and consequentially impact on the outcome of the chemistry and the materials processing. Case studies focusing on the impact of shear stress in magnetic fields include the shear stress induced BE dependent crystallisation of fullerene C60 and the selective synthesis of MOFs, including XIF-8 and ZIF-L. To overcome the geographical and geomagnetic storm limitations associated with relying on BE, we have developed a goniometer mounted magnetic field which is uniform at length scale of the VFD tube (18.5 cm in length), ~10 times BE. It can transverse all 3D space for process optimisation. In water as a solvent, polymers can be degraded under UVC radiation, which relates to the breakdown of water to hydrogen peroxide (and hydrogen), and the degradation of pollutants [4].
References
[1] T. M. D. Alharbi et al. Sub-micron moulding topological mass transport regimes in angled vortex fluidic flow. Nanoscale Adv, 2021, 3, 3064.
[2] M. Jellicoe et al., Chiral Lemniscate Formation in Magnetic Field Controlled Topological Fluid Flows. Small, 2025, 2409807.
[3] B. M. Alotaibi, Z. Gardner, K. Vimalanathan, X. Chen, T. M. D. Alharbi, C. L. Raston, Small Science, 2024, 4, 2300312.
[4] A. Heydari et al., Experimental, statistical, and machine learning based modelling of Rhodamine B degradation using vortex fluidic device under UV irradiation, Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2026, 213) 108693.