Contact effects in liquid/liquid flows

Results from several experiments will be presented and discussed in which refractive index matching, PIV, and imaging are used to understand novel aspects of flow physics. We consider several relatively simple flows that include two immiscible liquids and solid bounding surfaces. Examples include drops falling through a round orifice, drops coalescing at an interface in the presence of a solid particle, and solid particles falling through an interface. In all of these flows, we consider the effect of various parameters on the resulting interface topology and droplet or particle motion. For example, in the droplet/orifice flow, which is motivated by transport through porous rock structures, we examine the effects of Bond number, orifice-to-drop diameter ratio, orifice edge geometry, and surface wettability on whether and how much of the drop is captured or released. For drops or particles falling onto liquid/liquid interfaces, we consider the effect of parameters on penetration, sinking, and entrainment.

Professor Ellen K. Longmire is professor for aerospace engineering and mechanics and currently associate dean for academic affairs at the College of Science & Engineering, University of Minnesota. Her research uses advanced experimental methods to study single- and multi-phase turbulent flows, liquid/liquid mixtures, microscale flows, and biomedical flows. Current projects focus on eddy identification and particle transport in turbulent boundary layers, how discrete particles affect transition to turbulence, liquid/liquid flows with contact effects, and spray deposition of cells. Please see some of her current projects here.

Professor Longmire will support the CRC's equal opportunities program as a mentor