Timelapse photography reveals the tide-like motions of fog that filled the Grand Canyon last week. This unusual meteorological condition was created by a temperature inversion. Usually air near the ground Keep reading
Month: March 2025
Jumping Droplets
When droplets on a superhydrophobic surface coalesce with one another, they jump. Individually, each drop has a surface energy that depends on its size. When two smaller droplets coalesce into a larger drop, Keep reading
Phytoplankton Flow Viz
Nutrient-rich waters off Patagonia in South America blossom with phytoplankton in this satellite image. When present in large quantities, these microscopic photosynthesizers lend a green hue to the water. They Keep reading
Frog Tongues and Parrot Laser Safety Goggles
What do frog tongues, whisky, tattoos, and parrot laser safety goggles have in common? They’re all a part of the latest FYFD video! Check out my behind-the-scenes look at the Keep reading
Behind the Science
FYFD features lots of science, but this new video gives you a chance to see the scientists, too! It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Keep reading
Half Vortex Rings
Vortices are one of the most common structures in fluid dynamics. In this video, Dianna from Physics Girl explores an unusual variety of vortex you can create in a pool. Keep reading
Vertical-Axis Wind Turbines
Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWT) are an alternative to traditional wind turbine designs. Unlike their more common cousins, VAWTs rotate about a vertical axis and are omni-directional, meaning that they do Keep reading
Cavitation
[original media no longer available] Cavitation–the formation and collapse of vapor-filled cavities within a liquid–occurs in a variety of natural and manmade applications. It can shatter bottles, wreak havoc with Keep reading
Filter-Feeding
Sponges are filter-feeding marine animals that rely on water flow to obtain their nutrients and remove waste. By injecting non-toxic fluorescein dye at their base, one can visualize the flow Keep reading
Light Paintings
Photographer Stephen Orlando uses programmable LEDs to create light paintings. Here floating LEDs illuminate a track down a waterfall. In flow visualization terms, this is a pathline because it records Keep reading