Spring Quarter 1999

ME/IE 8773-8774

Non-Traditional Fluid Dynamics: Adventures Beyond the Realm

by

Gary S. Settles, Ph.D.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Director, Gas Dynamics Lab
Penn State University
University Park, PA 16802

Wednesday, April 14, 1999
1:25 - 2:15 p.m.
Room 102 ME
Broadcast on UNITE Channel B
Coffee will be available in 152 ME following the seminar

External forces have recently prompted something of a "revolution" in many areas of basic research, leading to increased emphasis on non-traditional topics and careers. What does this mean for fluid dynamics? It means more attention to industrial applications, for one thing, but my point in this seminar is that non-traditional fluid dynamics means more than just industrial applications. I believe something else is also needed: a certain willingness to broaden one's attitude, awareness, and approach. For those in danger of over-specialization, this also offers the opportunity for career redefinition. In fact, I have found that a rude career awakening can have the unexpected benefit of encouraging one toward novel and unconventional research interests.

These points are made mainly by example, including several alternative fields where fluid dynamics is important, but which are beyond the periphery of our normal vision. These include external bio-fluid dynamics, fluid dynamics in security and forensics, and fluid dynamics in the cinematic special effects. Alternative applications of some of our traditional topics, including vortex rings, high-speed jets and Faraday waves, are also addressed. The seminar concludes with some advice on broadening one's fluid dynamic perspectives based on strategies that worked and more than a few lessons learned the hard way. (This seminar was first presented as an Invited Lecture at the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics Meeting, Philadelphia, Nov. 1998.)

Professor Gary Settles received a B.S. degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Tennessee, and his Ph.D. degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Sciences from Princeton University. He is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University and is Director of the Gas Dynamics Laboratory. His research interests include Experimental fluid dynamics, flow visualization, and instrumentation (especially optical) applied to a variety of problems in areas ranging from security and forensics to environmental science and materials processing. Several patent applications have recently been filed for environmental and security-related inventions, and a US Patent was granted in 1998 for Supersonic's Abrasive Ice-Blasting.Ó Prof. Settles has developed the world's largest optical flow visualization system and is an expert on the scientific imaging technique known as schlieren's photography. His teaching interests are: Fluid mechanics, experimental methods, compressible flows, flow visualization, heat transfer, thermodynamics. He has many papers published in archive journals.

Informal Faculty Luncheon: Wednesday, April 14, 1999, 11:45 am, Room 404, Campus Club Prof. Settles will be able to attend.