Abstract
Biological systems are influenced by fluid mechanics at nearly all spatiotemporal scales. This broad relevance of fluid mechanics to biology has been increasingly appreciated by engineers and biologists alike, leading to continued expansion of research in the field of biological fluid dynamics. While this growth is exciting, it can present a barrier to researchers seeking a concise introduction to key challenges and opportunities for progress in the field. Rather than attempt a comprehensive review of the literature, this article highlights a limited selection of classic and recent work. In addition to motivating the study of biological fluid dynamics in general, the goal is to identify both longstanding and emerging conceptual questions that can guide future research. Answers to these fluid mechanics questions can lead to breakthroughs in our ability to predict, diagnose, and correct biological dysfunction, while also inspiring a host of new engineering technologies.
- Received 30 April 2019
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.4.110501
©2019 American Physical Society
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2019 Invited Papers
Physical Review Fluids publishes a collection of papers associated with the invited talks presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics.