Acquisition of A Modular Wave Tank for Fundamental and Applied Research in the New UNC Multiscale Fluid Dynamics Lab

这项由主要研究仪器（MRI）资助的收购包括一个模块化波浪罐和相关的波浪制造和数据收集仪器，这些仪器将被安置在北卡罗来纳大学的新流体实验室。拟议的模块化波浪罐在设计时考虑了最大的灵活性。许多流体力学都发生在多个尺度上，它们的非线性耦合可以说是理论和实验科学中最具挑战性的特征之一。有了这个仪器，pi团队和参与者将能够探索现象，其中一些是在现有的数学流体实验室或海洋科学学院的现场实验中新发现的，这是前所未有的。从层状射流中的混合及其与内波的产生和相互作用，到层状流体中颗粒的沉积及其夹带现象，到具有强迫和破碎的大内孤立波从深到浅的地形传播，再到表面波运动的边界层沉积物输送，新仪器使大量的实验成为可能，这些实验保证了未来许多年的大量使用。新型波浪槽的模块化设计使每个模块都可以服务于不同的目的，并允许在不同模块中同时进行实验。这将优化分时以及资源的使用。在巨大的自然力量的作用下，水的破坏力已经在最近发生的悲惨事件中得到了痛苦的证明。海啸和飓风夺走了无数人的生命，造成了数千亿美元的损失。减轻这些不可控制的自然力量的影响的主要手段是准确的预测和预报，这反过来又依赖于对起作用的物理现象的基本理解。实验和数学模型的紧密结合越来越被认为是研究这类流体问题的最成功的方法。该提议的仪器致力于研究控制水动力学的相关物理过程，以模拟这些自然事件，最终目标是提高预测能力。流体运动的视觉吸引力及其数学建模的挑战将进一步将所提议的仪器扩展为一种主要的教育工具，能够吸引聪明的本科生从事科学事业，从而提高我们的劳动力在这些国家利益领域的能力。

The acquisition supported by this Major Research Instrumentation (MRI)grant consists of a modular wave tank and related wave making and data collectinginstrumentation to be housed in the new Fluids Lab at the University ofNorth Carolina. The proposed modular wave tank has been designed withmaximum flexibility in mind. Much of fluid mechanics takes place across multiple scales, and theirnonlinear coupling is arguably one of the most challenging features oftheoretical and experimental science. With this instrument the team of PIs andparticipants will be able to probe into phenomena, some of them newly discoveredin the existing Mathematics Fluid Lab or in field experiments by Marine Science faculty, as neverbefore. From mixing in stratified jets and their generation andinteraction with internal waves, to sedimentation of particles in stratified fluids and theirentrainment phenomena, to large internal solitary wave propagation from deep toshallow topography with forcing and breaking, to boundary layer sedimenttransport by surface wave motion, the host of experiments that the new instrumentationmakes possible is such as to guarantee intensive usage for many years to come.The modularity of the new wave tank is designed so that each module can serve a differentpurpose, as well as allowing simultaneous experiments to take place in thedifferent modules. This will optimize time sharing as well as usage of resources.The destructive powers of water, set in motion by large natural forces, have been painfullyillustrated by the tragic events that marked the recent past. Tsunamis andhurricane surges have taken untold lives, and cost hundreds of billions ofdollars in damage. The primary means to mitigate the effects of these uncontrollablenatural forces is accurate prediction and forecast, which in turn relies on fundamentalunderstanding of the physical phenomena at play. Close integration of experimentaland mathematical modelling is becoming more and more recognized as the mostsuccessful approach to study this range of fluids problems. The proposed instrumentationis dedicated to the study of the relevant physical processes that govern the dynamics ofwater emulating these natural events, with the ultimate goal of improving predictive capabilities.The visual appeal of fluid motion and the challenge of its mathematical modelingwill further extend the proposed instrumentation into a primary educational tool ableto attract bright undergraduate students to careers in the sciences, thereby increasingthe competency of our workforce in these fields of national interest.