ABSTRACT
Nanofluidics is concerned with fluid flows in nanoscale confinements. It can be quite different from the classic fluid transport in macro-systems. The difference is mainly caused by molecular interactions, which cause changes in fluid properties and lead to new transport phenomena. Although molecular interactions play important roles at the nanoscale, many ideas at the macroscale are valid. Therefore, before a new journey to the nanoscale, it is necessary to review the classic fluid mechanics. Readers who are familiar with the classic fluid mechanics and electrokinetics can skip this chapter and move to Chapter 2 directly. Further detailed information about the classic theories can be found in standard textbooks on fluid mechanics and electrokinetics.
