The speed at which a dune migrates depends on its size; smaller dunes move faster than larger ones. That speed differential implies that small dunes should frequently collide into and Keep reading
Category: Research
Kicking Droplets
Moving the surface a droplet sits on creates some interesting dynamics, especially if the surface is hydrophobic. That’s what we see here with these droplets launched off an impulsively-moved plate. Keep reading
Listening to a Bubble’s Pop
Sound is an important aspect of many flows, from the scream of a rocket engine to the hum of electrical wires vibrating in the wind. Critically, those sounds carry important Keep reading
Spin Cycle
Rotational motion is a great way to break up liquids, as anyone who’s watched a dog shake itself dry can attest. That same centrifugal force is what allows this rotary Keep reading
Nitro Bubble Cascades
Fans of nitro beers — particularly Guinness’ stout — have probably noticed the fascinating cascade of bubbles that form as the beer settles. It’s a non-intuitive behavior — bubbles rise since they’re Keep reading
Fluid Dynamics and Disease Transmission
Right now people around the world are experiencing daily disruptions as a result of the recently declared coronavirus pandemic. There is a lot we don’t know yet about coronavirus, though Keep reading
Submarine Canyons Focus Waves
In winter months Toyama Bay in Japan can get hammered by waves nearly 10 meters in height. These waves, known as YoriMawari-nami, pose dangers to both infrastructure and citizens, and, Keep reading
Pearls On a Puddle
Leave a drop of coffee sitting on a surface and it will leave behind a ring of particulates once the water evaporates. But what happens to a droplet made up Keep reading
Hydrodynamics of Sheep
As we’ve discussed previously, not all fluid-like behavior occurs within a literal fluid. Many groups of organisms — humans included — behave like a fluid en masse. Herds of sheep Keep reading
Ice Rings Caused By Underlying Eddies
Observations of strange ice rings on Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest lake, have puzzled scientists for decades. Surveys of satellite imagery have revealed rings on Baikal and two other lakes Keep reading