Precision in Flow: Advances in PIV, Hematology, and High-Heat Flux Cooling for Power Dense Electronics

This talk presents a comprehensive overview of advanced fluidic and thermal management strategies across biomedical and defense applications. We begin with a systematic evaluation of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), specifically addressing the challenges of simultaneous velocity and particle size measurement. By analyzing Gaussian intensity variations across the light sheet and the optical system’s depth of field, we propose a balanced methodology for achieving consistent, high-fidelity size estimates.

Building on these measurement techniques, we discuss phase-locked PIV studies conducted within a pulsatile flow loop of a ‘mitral’ model bileaflet mechanical heart valve (MHV). The localized jets, steep velocity gradients, and vortex recirculation zones identified in vitro provide critical correlations to in-vivo platelet aggregation, highlighting the intersection of fluid mechanics and clinical pathology.

The discussion then shifts to the pivotal role of fluidic design in next-generation whole blood cell analyzers, utilizing hydrodynamic focusing and sheath flow to optimize optical flow cell performance for hematology. Finally, we conclude with a high-level summary of mission-critical work in energy storage and high-heat flux cooling. These technologies are essential for the thermal management of power-dense electronics and 3D Heterogeneous Integration (3DHI), ensuring reliability in the next frontier of microelectronic architecture.

Dr. Ganesh Subramanian is a technical leader and program/functional manager with over 20 years of experience bridging fundamental research and mission-critical engineering. An IISc Aerospace PhD and certified PMP/Agile professional, he has led a diverse portfolio of high-priority energy storage and thermal management programs funded by the U.S. DoD and DARPA, while at Teledyne Technologies. He has had a decade-long tenure, each at Abbott and BD Biosciences, developing fluidic and thermal subsystems for hematology instruments and flow cytometers. His career is grounded in high-impact fluid dynamics research working jointly with NASA and the Cleveland Clinic, combining academic rigor with a proven track record of leadership in highly regulated defense and medical sectors.