RUI: Pattern Formation in Reaction-Advection-Diffusion Systems with Lagrangian Chaos

该个人研究者奖将资助研究流体混合对相互作用流体系统中图案形成的影响的实验。实验将特别关注拉格朗日混沌（混沌混合）在图案形成过程中的作用。将使用两种不同的流体流动：闪烁涡旋流动和环状结构中的振荡涡旋链。最初，实验将使用Belousov-Zhabotinsky反应，这是一种振荡化学反应，尽管也将研究其他相互作用的系统，如液晶或经历相变的油/蜡系统，以及黏菌培养。除了研究模式形成过程外，实验还将测试关于增强扩散和超扩散输运对反应锋面传播影响的理论预测。这些实验解决了一个对各种各样的系统都非常重要的问题（因为流动在反应系统中是如此普遍），但却很少受到关注。除了有助于阐明图案形成过程外，实验结果将有助于未来以混沌为主要混合机制的微流控装置的开发。实验将由本科生进行，他们将参与研究的各个方面。这些经验是培养下一代科学家的宝贵的第一步。人们对微流控装置的发展非常感兴趣，微流控装置是一种非常小型的“工厂”，可以在集成电路那么小的封装中加工和生产化学和生物制剂。这只是在反应过程中流体混合起关键作用的系统的一个例子。这个NSF DMR奖支持的实验将研究流体混合和反应的相互作用在缓慢移动，有序的流动（如那些在微流体装置）。特别是，实验将探讨混沌混合的重要性，混沌混合已被证明是慢速流动和小尺度流动的主要混合机制。所研究的流动将由以一种导致混沌混合的方式振荡的漩涡（漩涡）组成。最初，实验将使用化学反应，尽管也将研究其他相互作用的系统，如液晶、油/蜡系统和黏菌培养。除了与微流控装置的发展相关外，这些研究的结果还可能有助于解释聚变反应堆中等离子体的行为，熔体制造合金过程中形成的图案，以及流行病期间疾病的传播。实验将由本科生进行，他们将参与研究的各个方面。这些经验是培养下一代科学家的宝贵的第一步。

This individual investigator award funds experiments that will study the effects of fluid mixing on pattern formation in interacting fluid systems. The experiments will focus in particular on the role of Lagrangian chaos (chaotic mixing) on the pattern formation process. Two different fluid flows will be used: a blinking vortex flow, and an oscillating vortex chain in an annular configuration. Initially, the experiments will use the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction, an oscillatory chemical reaction, although studies will also be made with other interacting systems, such as liquid crystals or oil/wax systems undergoing phase transitions, and slime mold cultures. In addition to investigating the pattern formation process, the experiments will also test theoretical predictions about the effects of enhanced diffusive and superdiffusive transport on the propagation of reactive fronts. These experiments address an issue that is of great importance to a wide variety of systems (since flows are so common in reacting systems), and yet one that has received surprisingly little attention. In addition to helping to elucidate the pattern-formation processes, the results of the experiments will help in the future development of microfluidic devices in which chaos is the dominant mixing mechanism. The experiments will be performed with undergraduate students who will participate in all aspects of the research. These experiences form a valuable first step in the training of the next generation of scientists.There is a great deal of interest in the development of microfluidic devices - extremely small scale "factories" that process and produce chemical and biological agents in packages as small as an integrated circuit. This is just one example of a system in which fluid mixing plays a critical role in a reaction process. This NSF DMR award supports experiments that will study the interaction of fluid mixing and reaction in slow-moving, well-ordered flows (such as those in microfluidic devices). In particular, the experiments will explore the importance of chaotic mixing, which has been demonstrated to be the dominant mixing mechanisms for slow-moving and small-scale flows. The flows studied will be composed of vortices (whirlpools) that oscillate in a manner that results in chaotic mixing. Initially, the experiments will use chemical reactions, although studies will also be made with other interacting systems, such as liquid crystals, oil/wax systems and slime mold cultures. In addition to being relevant to the development of microfluidic devices, results from these studies may also help explain the behavior of plasmas in fusion reactors, the patterns that form during the fabrication of alloys from a melt, and the spreading of diseases during an epidemic. The experiments will be performed with undergraduate students who will participate in all aspects of the research. These experiences form a valuable first step in the training of the next generation of scientists.