- Research
- Open Access
Fractional-calculus diffusion equation
- Abdul-Wali MS Ajlouni1Email author and
- Hussam A Al-Rabai'ah2
https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-4631-4-3
© Ajlouni and Al-Rabai'ah; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010
- Received: 2 November 2009
- Accepted: 21 May 2010
- Published: 21 May 2010
Abstract
Background
Sequel to the work on the quantization of nonconservative systems using fractional calculus and quantization of a system with Brownian motion, which aims to consider the dissipation effects in quantum-mechanical description of microscale systems.
Results
The canonical quantization of a system represented classically by one-dimensional Fick's law, and the diffusion equation is carried out according to the Dirac method. A suitable Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian, describing the diffusive system, are constructed and the Hamiltonian is transformed to Schrodinger's equation which is solved. An application regarding implementation of the developed mathematical method to the analysis of diffusion, osmosis, which is a biological application of the diffusion process, is carried out. Schrödinger's equation is solved.
Conclusions
The plot of the probability function represents clearly the dissipative and drift forces and hence the osmosis, which agrees totally with the macro-scale view, or the classical-version osmosis.
Keywords
- Diffusion Equation
- Fractional Derivative
- Frictional Force
- Fractional Calculus
- Frictional Coefficient
Introduction
In this paper we aim to consider the dissipation effects, appeared in the will-known diffusion process, quantum-mechanically depending on the procedure of the quantization of nonconservative systems using fractional calculus [1–4], which was also applied on the related phenomenon, the Brownian motion [5].
Most of the natural laws of physics, such as Maxwell's equations, Newton's laws of motion, and Schrödinger equation, are stated, or can be, in terms of partial deffirential equations (PDEs), that is, these laws describe physical phenomena by relating space and time derivatives. Diffusion equation, or heat flow, is one of the most important PDEs in physical sciences. The basic process in the diffusion phenomenon is the flow of the fluid from a region of higher density to one of lower density [6].
The tendency of a statistical ensemble to achieve thermodynamic equilibrium with a uniform distribution of states for its constituent subsystems does not have to be monotonic in time. In general, equilibration takes place in stages and is characterized by several stochastization times with vastly different orders of magnitude. Thermodynamic equilibrium has no absolute meaning and depends on the time scale over which a given process is analyzed.
In a diffusion process or chemical reaction, Fick's law provides a linear relationship between the flux of molecules and the chemical potential difference. Likewise, a direct proportionality exists between the heat flux and the temperature difference in a thermally conducting slab, as expressed by Fourier's law. Diffusion of gases between air in the lungs and blood proceeds in the direction from high to low concentration, and the rate of diffusion is greatest when the difference in concentration is greatest. Diffusion obeys Fick's law, but the actual rate of exchange is greatly affected by hemoglobin in the blood.
Diffusion equation
where k B is the Boltzmann constant, T is the absolute temperature in K, and f is a frictional coefficient. The diffusion coefficient, D, is defined as the net flow of particles per unit time across an imaginary plane of unit area lying at right angles to the concentration gradient, that gradient also having unit strength.
where
is the concentration gradient. A concentration gradient implies that the concentration of the molecules (i.e. the solute) varies with distance r in one dimension.
where C0 is the total solute concentration difference across the boundary.
Quantization of diffusion process

Thus, we obtain a definition of the random force, that agrees with our assumption and with the fact that ⟨F(x)⟩ = 0 of Eq.(2).
which is the classical equation of motion of the diffused particle, Eq.(2).
Here, p0 and p1/2 are the canonical conjugate momenta to q0 and q1/2 respectively.
where q0 = x and q1/2 = y.
H n being Hermite polynomials.
where H(u - u') Heaviside step function.
Application: osmosis
Osmosis is a physical phenomenon that has been extensively studied by scientists in various disciplines of science and engineering. Early researchers studied the mechanism of osmosis through natural materials, and from the 1960s, special attention has been given to osmosis through synthetic materials. Following the progress in membrane science in the last few decades, especially for reverse osmosis applications, the interests in engineered applications of osmosis has been spurred. Osmosis, or as it is currently referred to as forward osmosis, has new applications in separation processes for wastewater treatment, food processing, and seawater/brackish water desalination. Other unique areas of forward osmosis research include pressure-retarded osmosis for generation of electricity from saline and fresh water and implantable osmotic pumps for controlled drug release. This paper provides the state-of-the-art of the physical principles and applications of forward osmosis as well as their strengths and limitations.
Osmosis [6].
The net osmotic pressure exerted on a semipermeable membrane separating the two compartments is thus the difference between the osmotic pressures of both compartments.
Thus, we obtain a definition of the new random force, but with a complete disagreement with our assumption with the fact that ⟨F(x)⟩ = 0 of Eq.(2). This disagreement appears from the fact that pressure exerted a net drift force F p on the particles in the direction of osmosis (Fig. 1).
Discussion
Fraction calculus is very helpful expressing the dissipation, as well as in quantizing nonconservative systems associated with many important physical problems: either where the ordinary quantum-mechanical treatment leads to an incomplete description, such as the energy loss by charged particles when passing through matter; or where it leads to complex nonlinear equations, such as Brownian motion, and diffusion.
By using fractional calculus in physical problems it is possible to create a whole mechanical description of nonconservative systems, including Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics, canonical transformations, Hamilton-Jacobi theory, and quantum mechanics. In this paper, an important physical nonconservative system, which is the diffusion process is treated quantum-mechanically, for the first time using fractional-calculus.
Probability function. Probability function, |Ψ|2 of the diffused particle including the random, and frictional forces; the osmosis process manifested very clearly.
Conclusion
Diffusion and the diffusion equation are central topics in both Physics and Mathematics, and their ranges of applicability span from astrophysical dynamics to the diffusion of particles governed by Schrödinger's equation.
The quantization of a system with diffusion process has been carried out according to the theory proposed recently [1, 2]. A potential, and a Hamiltonian, corresponding to the random force, and dissipative force, were constructed. The relevant Schrödinger's equation has then been set and solved. The classical equation of motion, connected to diffused particle, could be obtained easily from the fractional Lagrangian. The random and frictional forces were plotted; the diffusion process manifested very clearly. The next step could be to study problems such as the correlation functions, transport equation, chemical potential, entropy, etc., on a quantum-mechanical basis.
An application of the developed mathematical method to the analysis of diffusion in a biological medium, osmosis, is carried out. Schrödinger's equation is solved. The plot of the probability function represents clearly the dissipative and drift forces and hence the osmosis, which shows the same macro-scale view of the osmosis.
Appendix: Fractional calculus
where Jα represents the fractional integral operator of order α, and R+ represents the set of positive real numbers.
Here, we formulate the problem in terms of the left fractional derivative the left Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives, which are defined in Eqs. (A.1, A.2). Most of the left fractional operations also hold for the right ones. For the left operations f(t) must vanish for t < a while f(t) = 0 for t > b for the right operation. Thus, the left operations are causal. Conversely, the right operations are anti-causal [16]. From the physical point of view, when we differentiate with respect to time, the right differentiation represents an operation performed on the future state of the process f(t) [17].
Fractional integral and differential operators have the following properties [14, 15]:
but the inverse application of the two operators is not necessarily true.
For α = 1/2 this equation is called semi-derivative; for α = - 1/2 it is called semi-integral.
Authors' information
Abdul-Wali Ajlouni (Jordan) is the chair of the Applied Physics Department at Tafila Technical University, Jordan. Prior to this post, he served as an Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science, and as an assistant Professor. Before joining TTU, Dr. Ajlouni was a researcher on radiation safety for the Ministry of Energy. He has received training on radiation protection and radiological emergency preparedness in Jordan, Turkey, the United States, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, Iran, and Syria. In addition, he has attended numerous conferences on nuclear energy, and Applied mathematics around the world. Dr. Ajlouni has published extensively on the two subjects, with titles such as: "Mathematical Model for Dispersion of Nuclear Pollutants in Jordan Atmosphere," and "Quantization of Brownian Motion." Dr. Ajlouni received a SCOPUS Scientific Research and the International Conference on Mathematics and Information Security (ICAMIS2009) awards in 2009. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from Yarmouk University, Jordan, an M.S. in Nuclear Physics from Mustansyria University, Iraq, and a Ph.D. in Mathematical/Radiation Physics from the University of Jordan.
Declarations
Authors’ Affiliations
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