NET LATERAL FLOW DURING A TWIST-CELL CYCLE

The flow pattern that is caused by the backflow effect when a twist cell is turned on is not exactly reversed when the cell is turned off. Computer simulation of flow far from the boundary of an element shows an average lateral flow distance of up to several percent of the cell thickness in each cycle. This flow would account for observed transport and deposition of particles of debris at one edge or corner of deteriorating cells. Such flow has also been observed directly by introducing dye markers into cells.