EVENT DETAILS AND ABSTRACT

Title: Observing Intense Turbulent Vorticity and Strain
Speaker: Daniel Lathrop
Speaker Info: University of Maryland
Brief Description:
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Abstract:

Turbulent flows involve intense bursts of vorticity and independently intense events of strain(hyperbolic motions). We present new three-dimensional, non-intrusive, time-resolved measurements of a turbulent flow. Using a new optical method, we explore and characterize the interrelationship between dissipation (a measure of strain) and enstrophy (the square vorticity). Statistics of these quantities reveal the complex instabilities and saturation mechanisms in play in turbulent flows. An examination of individual events yields insight into the causes of intense events.