Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a powerful simulation tool that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze fluid mechanics systems. By leveraging on the basic governing multiphysics processes of chemistry, biology, and physics, CFD serves as a predictive tool to model microfluidic immunoassays.
In designing microfluidic platforms, CFD serves as a tool to quickly analyze multiple designs to determine optimal channel geometries without the laborious need to manufacture fluidic cards, use of expensive reagents, and allocation of trained personnel's time. CFD also serves as a validation tool for experimental data of analyte binding within highly sensitive porous bead based immunoassays. In many cases, analysis of computational systems provides insights to questions that cannot be directly measured experimentally.