Image: Flow Visualization - A Course in the Physics and Art of Fluid Flow
Flow Visualization Home Galleries Course Info Links
Saffman-Taylor Instability by Dustin Grace, Marilyn Poon, Jessica Todd and Robert Neilson
Incense Smoke by Paritosh Panchal Needle Wake by Brynne Sutton
Image: Student Quote - I'll never be able to ignore the sky again.
Sanjeev Sharma
Graduate Student
Mechanical Engineering

Flow Visualization

Flow visualization is the process of making the physics of fluid flows (gases, liquids) visible. In this course, we explore a range of techniques for creating images of fluid flows. Our work is motivated not just by the utility and importance of fluid flows, but also by their inherent beauty. The Flow Visualization course is designed for mixed teams of engineering and fine arts photography students at the University of Colorado, but anybody who has paid attention to the patterns while stirring milk into coffee or stared at the curl of a rising tendril of smoke has participated in flow visualization, and will understand the purpose of this course. Please explore this site; there are resources for teachers and students of all levels, as well as amazing images that anyone can enjoy
Explore the class galleries >>
Image: Flow Visualization News and Highlights
 
Try it yourself! Here are two modules developed for middle schools:
Floating and Falling Flows illustrates some physics of buoyant plumes
The Density Rainbow and the Great Viscosity Race illustrate the fluid properties of density and viscosity.
Comments on how these experiments worked for you are welcome. Email us.
Flow Visualization Traveling Show:

Fifteen images have been printed and framed for a traveling print show. Curated by Prof. Jean Hertzberg (CU Boulder) and Carla Selby (Tesseract Productions, with support from the Boulder Arts Commission. The images will be on display on the CU campus at Fiske Planetarium from August 28 (opening reception/talk at 6:30 pm) through October 18, and then move over to the first floor of the ATLAS Institute, October 26 - November 30, with an opening reception 4-6 pm Oct.29. You can download a flyer, or preview the show here..
Next course offering:
Spring 2010
Articles about the course:

"Images of Fluid Flow: Art and Physics by Students,". by Hertzberg, J. and Sweetman, A.
Journal of Visualization, Vol. 8, No. 2 (2005)145-152.

A Course in Flow Visualization: the Art and Physics of Fluid Flow, presented at the American Society for Engineering Education 2004 Annual Conference won the "Best Paper" PIC III award at the conference.

© 2007 Jean Hertzberg. All rights reserved.   -   Web Site: Corey Simpson