Core dynamics experiments in the three meter geodynamo device

地球的磁场是动态的，在过去的160年里一直在减弱。主磁场是由旋转的、湍急的液态金属外核与运动产生的电流相互作用在地核产生的。该项目旨在解决行星自转和湍流如何影响地核磁场的产生。该项目的核心是马里兰大学直径三米的地核模型。该模型使用20吨旋转的液态金属和容器来模拟地核比例模型中磁场、湍流和旋转的相互作用。采用磁敏传感器阵列测量钠流感应磁场的动态变化。利用这个阵列可以确定磁高斯系数(球谐振幅)，以便了解磁模和流体动力学模式及其动力学，研究湍流涨落在动量输运和磁场产生中的作用，并解决波动及其对地球物理动力学过程的贡献。这些磁性测量还包括随实验旋转的诊断仪器，包括扭矩传感器、超声波测速仪、动态压力探头和动态壁速探头。这个项目包括三米系统的初始钠操作，现在设备和初步的水实验已经完成。项目科学，包括一个世界上唯一的设备的初始操作，由马里兰大学的一个年轻研究团队承担。参与其中的青年科学家的指导和职业发展经验是该项目极其重要的一部分。此外，还将举办高中科学课堂实地考察，鼓励来自不同背景的下一代科学、技术、工程和数学专业的学生，同时让他们接触到一个国际科学项目。最后，磁性探头阵列的测量结果允许将磁场渲染成电影，以便将我们的观察结果传达给公众。

The Earth's magnetic field is dynamic and has been weakening for the last 160 years. The main field is generated in the Earth's core by the interaction of the rotating, turbulent liquid metal outer core and electrical currents induced by that motion. This project seeks to resolve how the rotation of the planet and turbulence affect the generation of magnetic fields in the Earth's core. At the heart of the project is the University of Maryland's three meter-diameter model of the Earth's core. That model uses 20 tons of rotating liquid metal and vessel to mimic the interaction of magnetic fields, turbulence and rotation in a scale model of the Earth's core. A magnetic sensor array is used to measure the dynamics of magnetic fields induced by the sodium flow. With this array the magnetic Gauss coefficients (spherical harmonic amplitudes) can be determined in order to understand the magnetic and hydrodynamic modes and their dynamics, study of the role of turbulent fluctuations in momentum transport and magnetic field generation, and resolve wave motions and their contribution to geophysical dynamical processes. These magnetic measurements are complimented by diagnostics rotating with the experiment, including torque sensors, ultrasound velocimetry, dynamic pressure probes, and dynamic wall velocity probes. This project includes the initial sodium operations for the three meter system, now that the device and preliminary water experiments are complete.The project science, including the initial operation of a world unique device, is undertaken by a team of young researchers at the University of Maryland. The mentoring and career development experiences of the young scientists involved are an extremely important part of the project. Additionally, high-school science class field trips will be hosted to encourage the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics students from diverse backgrounds, while exposing them to an international science project. Finally, the measurements from the magnetic probe array allow the rendering of the magnetic fields into movies in order to convey our observations to the public.