MRI: Acquisition of a high-speed volumetric particle image velocimetry system for fluid mechanics research and research training in science, mathematics, and engineering

粒子图像测速是一种基于激光的诊断技术，用于非侵入式流速测量。该仪器的获得将使流体力学在生物、环境和工程应用领域的跨学科研究成为可能。要研究的主题从粗糙表面上的湍流到心脏内的血液流动。这项研究的发现将有助于改善环境保护和恢复工作，减少阻力并提高表面流动的效率，并确定先天性心脏病的原因。最先进的仪器将加强本科研究培训，教学和推广工作在联合学院。该仪器辅助的研究项目将为与教师一起工作的本科生提供引人入胜的研究经验。该设备的使用也将通过演示、实验室实验和科学、数学和工程课程的项目纳入课程。通过外展活动，项目研究人员将激发弱势群体和经济条件较差的初高中学生对科学、技术、工程和数学领域的兴趣。在整个体积内高速测量所有三种速度分量将使创新研究成为可能：1)通过串联排列的粗糙度元素来研究湍流边界层扰动，以了解遮蔽的影响和对相干结构的修改；2)对类似水生植被的非均质冠层湍流进行表征，以突出区域非均质性的影响；3)研究基于气凝胶的超疏水表面的流动，这种表面有可能减少阻力，而不需要复杂的制造方法；4)对鸡胚心脏早期形成阶段的血流进行表征，以更好地了解无瓣膜泵送机制；5)研究苔藓植物芽系统中对流流动的结构，这些结构被怀疑但尚未被证实或量化；6)确定由分布粗糙度引起的向湍流过渡的机制，并描述所产生的扰动的相互作用，这是设计粗糙度以减轻过渡的必要条件。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Particle image velocimetry is a laser-based diagnostic technique used for non-intrusive flow velocity measurements. The acquisition of this instrument will enable interdisciplinary fluid mechanics research in biological, environmental, and engineering applications. The topics to be investigated span from turbulent flow over rough surfaces to blood flow within a heart. The findings of this research will aid in improving environmental protection and restoration efforts, reducing drag and increasing efficiency of flows across a surface, and determining the causes of congenital heart disorders. The state-of-the-art instrumentation will strengthen undergraduate research training, teaching, and outreach efforts at Union College. The research projects aided by this instrument will provide engaging research experiences for undergraduate students who will work alongside faculty. The use of this equipment also will be incorporated into the curriculum through demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and projects in science, mathematics, and engineering courses. Through outreach activities, the project researchers will spark the interest of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged middle and high school students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Measurement of all three velocity components at high speeds throughout a volume will enable innovative research that will 1) investigate turbulent boundary layer perturbation by roughness elements arranged in tandem to understand the effects of sheltering and the modification to coherent structures; 2) characterize the turbulent flow over heterogeneous canopies resembling aquatic vegetation to highlight the effects of regional heterogeneities; 3) examine the flow over aerogel-based super-hydrophobic surfaces, which have potential to reduce drag without the need for complex fabrication approaches; 4) characterize the blood flow within the embryonic chick heart during its early formation stages to better understand the valve-less pumping mechanisms; 5) inspect the structure of convective flows within bryophyte shoot systems, which are suspected but have yet to be confirmed or quantified; and 6) determine the mechanisms of transition to turbulence induced by distributed roughness and describe the interaction of generated disturbances, which is necessary for designing roughness to mitigate transition.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.