Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impacts of the gold nanoparticles on the peristaltic flow and heat transfer of blood in the presence of heat source. This element has been chosen because on comparing with the other common nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles are preferred due to their unique properties in absorbing the temperature when a heat source exists.
Design/methodology/approach
On simplifying the governing equations under the assumption of long-wavelength and low-Reynolds number approximations, the resulted system has been solved by applying the homotopy perturbation method. Then, detailed physical discussion has been introduced through several plots while focusing on the consequences of the current results on the treatment of cancer.
Findings
The present results revealed that the heat source has a great effect on the blood velocity, blood temperature and concentration of the gold nanoparticles within the artery/vein cavity when represented as asymmetric channel. Moreover, the accuracy of the current solutions was validated through several plots of the remainder error for each studied phenomenon.
Originality/value
The current idea gives some light on the attempts of using the gold nanoparticles in the treatment of cancer and therefore may lead to possible applications for diagnosis/therapy of the human cancer. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is novel, very efficient and applicable.