what is laminar air flow

Laminar air flow, also known as laminar flow, refers to a type of airflow in which the entire body of air within a designated space is uniform in both velocity and direction. This results in fluid particles following smooth paths in layers, with each layer moving smoothly past the adjacent layers with little or no mixing. Laminar air flow is characterized by high momentum diffusion and low momentum convection, and it is commonly used in various applications to create a particulate-free working environment and maintain sterility. This type of airflow is utilized in laminar flow cabinets, clean benches, biological safety cabinets, and other equipment to prevent contamination of sensitive processes in science, electronics, medicine, and cleanroom environments. Laminar air flow cabinets, for example, emit air through a filtration system and exhaust it across the work surface, creating a sterile environment and preventing cross-contamination. The concept of laminar air flow is also utilized in various industries such as medical, pharmaceutical, electronic, and industrial for creating clean air environments and preventing airborne particles from entering the working area.