CONTAGEUSNUMSTADY is a research project dedicated to the modeling, analysis and characterization of coated microbubbles (also known as contrast agents).

Such bioparticles are employed in biomedical applications for

• enhancing contrast in medical imaging and
• improving the efficiency and localization of drug delivery.

Emphasis in placed in developing the theoretical and numerical tools necessary for predicting the effect of the viscoelastic coating on their static and dynamic response, thereby facilitating the characterization and parameter estimation of the coating material.

Phospholipid and polymeric shells are examined in particular, in the context of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and acoustic measurements using ultrasound. :Results of the theoretical and numerical analysis obtained by the research team of the University of Thessaly are compared against experimental AFM and acoustic measurements from the collaborating group of the University of Edinburgh.

The outcome of the research is expected to provide understanding of the static and dynamic behavior of such particles, both free but also in the vicinity of nearby boundaries or even as they are trapped by tissue, thus allowing the custom design of next generation contrast agents depending on the desired application.

Professor Nikos Pelekasis

Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Thessaly

Leoforos Athinon

Pedion Areos

Postal Code: 38334, Volos, Greece

e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: +30-2421074102

Fax: +30-2421074085

Computer Cluster

The simulation of a microbubble subject to an acoustic pressure field requires a high performance computer. To this end, the linux cluster of the  Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery (LFMT) was upgraded in the context of the "CONTAGEUSNUMSTADY" project, to carry out high accuracy calculations using numerical tools that are specifically developed by the members of our research group for the simulation of the static and acoustic response of free/coated microbubbles.

Photos from Cluster in Lab of Fluid Mechanics & Turbomachinery at University of Thessaly

ANSYS Software

In order to simulate the dynamic response of free microbubbles or those pulsating in the vicinity of a rigid wall via the volume of fluid method, as an alternative approach to mesh generation and benchmarking, an ANSYS FLUENT 14.5.7 license was obtained in the context of the "CONTAGEUSNUMSTADY" project. Flow-structure interaction calculations were performed with the above software and the results were compared with in house codes.