TU hosts turbulence conference

Modern turbulence research studies the spread of particles and particulates in the atmosphere, said Professor Bendiks Jan Boersma (Process and Energy at 3mE Faculty). Environmental research studies the influence of these particles on seeding rain and global warming.

In technical sciences, it has long been known that adding polymers can reduce friction of flow by half. In the US, firefighters use the technique to increase the range and power of their fire hoses. Physical explanations and mathematical models to explain the friction reduction have been lacking so far. However, according to Boersma, theoretical physicists are catching up.

Another favourite topic in the conference is control of turbulence. Either researchers try to reduce or prevent turbulence by controlling flow with flaps and wings, or they stimulate turbulence with the intention to increase mixing between flows.

The ETC15 conference is packed with eight parallel lecture series over four days. The program ends with the hand out of the Young Scientist Award at the closing ceremony on Friday.