The elusive upper bound of heat transfer in horizontal convection

两极附近太阳辐射低和热带地区温度较高（称为水平对流）导致的全球海洋浮力横向变化是否是全球洋流的驱动力，这一问题对于我们理解维持地球温带气候的这一复杂而微妙的系统至关重要。这个问题取决于全球尺度的热传输和浮力强迫强度之间的关系;该项目提出了一项具有里程碑意义的实验努力，并得到详细模拟的支持，以探索水平对流中热传输的最终状态。预计该项目将为未来海洋和气候建模工作的方向提供信息，以造福人类。

The question as to whether lateral variation in global ocean buoyancy resulting from low solar radiation near the poles and higher temperatures in the tropical regions (known as horizontal convection) is a driver for global ocean currents is critical to our understanding of this complex and delicate system that maintains Earth's temperate climate. This question hinges on the relationship between heat transport and strength of buoyancy forcing towards global scales; this project proposes a landmark experimental effort supported by detailed simulations to probe the ultimate regime of heat transport in horizontal convection. The project is expected to inform the direction of future ocean and climate modelling efforts to the benefit of humanity.