In “Dispersion,” particles spread under the influence of an unseen fluid. Like Roman de Giuli’s work, filmmaker Susi Sie creates macro images that look like ice floes, deserts, and river Keep reading
Inside an Alien Atmosphere
Studying the physics of planetary atmospheres is challenging, not least because we only have a handful of examples to work from in our own solar system. So it’s exciting that Keep reading
Channeling Espresso
Coffee-making continues to be a rich source for physics insight. The roasting and brewing processes are fertile ground for chemistry, physics, and engineering. Recently, one research group has focused on Keep reading
Flying Without a Rudder
Aircraft typically use a vertical tail to keep the craft from rolling or yawing. Birds, on the other hand, maneuver their wings and tail feathers to counter unwanted motions. Researchers Keep reading
Salt Fingers
Any time a fluid under gravity has areas of differing density, it convects. We’re used to thinking of this in terms of temperature — “hot air rises” — but temperature Keep reading
Arctic Melt
Temperatures in the Arctic are rising faster than elsewhere, triggering more and more melting. Photographer Scott Portelli captured a melting ice shelf protruding into the ocean in this aerial image. Keep reading
Atmospheric Rivers Raise Temperatures
Atmospheric rivers are narrow streams of moisture-rich air running from tropical regions to mid- or polar latitudes. Though relatively short-lived, they are capable of carrying — and depositing — more Keep reading
Winter in Chicago
Fresh winter snow blankets Chicago in this satellite image. Over on Lake Michigan, ice dots the coastline out to about 20 kilometers from shore. Darker regions near land mark thinner Keep reading
Measuring Mucus by Dragging Dead Fish
A fish‘s mucus layer is critical; it protects from pathogens, reduces drag in the water, and, in some cases, protects against predators. But little is known about how mucus could Keep reading
Chaotic Hose Instability
Steve Mould is back with another video looking at wild fluid behaviors. This time he’s considering hose instabilities like the one that makes a water-carrying hose beyond a certain length Keep reading