Any phenomenon in fluid dynamics typically involves the interaction and competition of many different forces. Sometimes these forces are of very different magnitudes, and it can be difficult to determine Keep reading
Month: December 2024
Plasma Jets
Jets of high-energy plasma and sub-atomic particles explode outward from the Hercules A elliptical galaxy at the center of this photo. The jets are driven to speeds close to that Keep reading
Surface Explosions
Underwater explosions often behave non-intuitively. Here researchers explore the effects of surface explosions by setting off charges at the air/water interface. Initially, an unconfined explosion’s blast wave expands a cavity Keep reading
Phytoplankton and Sediments
Pale sediments are carried out to sea by the rivers of the Mergui Archipelago of Myanmar. Dark blue ocean waters mix with the sediment, creating turbulent swirls in this natural Keep reading
Flapping Elastic Straws
One of the interesting challenges in fluid dynamics is the coupling of aerodynamic forces with structural forces. This could be the result of external flow, as with aeroelastic flutter on Keep reading
Slapping Sheets
Here fluid is ejected as two flat plates collide, creating a sheet of silicone oil. The initially smooth sheet forms a thicker ligament about the edge. Gravity causes the sheet Keep reading
The Evolution of Icicles
The time-lapse video above shows the growth of icicles of various compositions under laboratory conditions. Many icicles in nature exhibit a rippling effect in their shape, which some theories attribute Keep reading
Hot Items Sink Faster
This combined video shows the fall of a heated centimeter-sized steel sphere through water. From left to right, the sphere is at 25 degrees C (left), 110 degrees C (middle), Keep reading
A Colorful Rinse
In this image a jet of water (clear/white) is rinsing a solution of polyacrylamide (PAM; blue) off a silicon surface. In the center, a hydraulic jump marks the interface where Keep reading
Inksplosion
Artist Pery Burge utilizes surface tension driven flows created with inks and water for much of her work. As mesmerizing as this is in still-life, it is more lovely still Keep reading