Experiments in the three meter diameter geodynamo model

三米直径地球发电机模型实验

• 批准号: 1417148
• 负责人: Daniel Lathrop
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: University of Maryland, College Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-08-01 至 2018-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1417148&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Experiments; three; meter; diameter; geodynamo

This research team builds and studies models of the earth's core with a focus on generating magnetic fields. The research team uses a twenty-ton, rapidly rotating model of the Earth's core to examine questions about the turbulence within the core and observed changes in the Earth's field. Despite the known central importance of the Earth's magnetic field in limiting dangerous radiation from the sun, we do not now have the ability to predict changes in the field. The data the PI and his team will collect will be used in a way that will allow building predictive tools. The project also serves to educate a new generation of scholars in geophysics experiments, including undergraduate mentoring and graduate student training. As well, the public appreciation of science is a critical component of ensuring our nation's strength in science and technology. In support of public appreciation of science the research team offers lab tours to a very broad range of audiences: middle school girls (annual), high school groups, undergraduate clubs, prospective undergraduate and graduate students, visiting faculty, visiting families of faculty and staff, visiting government staff, and science journalists. In addition the team offers short pedagogical videos, posted on the research group YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/user/n3umh).The primary focus of this research is to use laboratory experiments to better understand the dynamics of the Earth's magnetic field. The research team uses a twenty-ton, rapidly rotating model of the Earth's core to examine the generation of magnetic fields in a planetary context. There are many unknowns in the earth due to the turbulent dynamics present, and due to our limited understanding of those dynamics. Despite the known central importance of the Earth's magnetic field in limiting dangerous radiation from the sun, that field changes dynamically in a way that we cannot, for now, forecast. The PI team has developed a world-unique experimental device to model our planetary core, which allows them to explore how rapidly rotating turbulent flows induce magnetic fields. The parameter values to be explored have not been studied previously, as the device is built to run at exceptional magnetic Reynolds numbers, designed to match those of the Earth. The data they will collect can be used in a way that will allow challenges to numerical theory predictions. Understanding the dynamics and prediction limits for the geomagnetic field are central goals for this experimental project.

该研究小组建立和研究地球核心的模型，重点是产生磁场。研究小组使用一个20吨重的快速旋转的地核模型来研究地核内的湍流问题，并观察到地球磁场的变化。尽管地球磁场在限制来自太阳的危险辐射方面具有重要作用，但我们现在没有能力预测磁场的变化。PI和他的团队将收集的数据将以允许构建预测工具的方式使用。 该项目还有助于教育新一代的学者在物理学实验，包括本科生辅导和研究生培训。同样，公众对科学的欣赏是确保我们国家科技实力的关键组成部分。为了支持公众对科学的欣赏，研究小组向非常广泛的受众提供实验室图尔斯之旅：中学女生（每年一次），高中团体，本科生俱乐部，未来的本科生和研究生，访问教师，访问教职员工的家庭，访问政府工作人员和科学记者。此外，该团队还提供了简短的教学视频，发布在研究小组的YouTube频道（www.youtube.com/user/n3umh）上。这项研究的主要重点是利用实验室实验来更好地了解地球磁场的动态。研究小组使用一个20吨重的快速旋转的地核模型来研究行星背景下磁场的产生。地球上有许多未知，这是由于目前的动荡动力学，也是由于我们对这些动力学的有限理解。尽管地球磁场在限制来自太阳的危险辐射方面具有众所周知的核心重要性，但该磁场以我们目前无法预测的方式动态变化。PI团队开发了一种世界上独一无二的实验装置来模拟我们的行星核心，这使他们能够探索快速旋转的湍流如何诱导磁场。 要探索的参数值以前没有研究过，因为该设备是为了在特殊的磁雷诺数下运行而建造的，旨在与地球的磁雷诺数相匹配。他们将收集的数据可以以一种允许挑战数值理论预测的方式使用。了解地磁场的动态和预测极限是这个实验项目的中心目标。