Cool Experiments
Gallery of Fluid Motion videos
The Saturn-ring instability of a drop in an electric field
Electrohydrodynamics of a particle-coated drop
Why Lab?
First, Good theory requires an appreciation of the phenomenon that is being modeled. The Lab in the Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Math provides unique opportunities for hands-on experimental experience that highlights the principles of modeling and key mathematical concepts. Experiments range from simple table-top ones such as Quincke electrorotation (a realization of Lorenz chaos) to more sophisticated ones that require microscopy imaging and touch upon bio- and soft matter-physics topics, e.g., thermal fluctuations (biomembranes), and self organization in populations of active particles. Second, the Lab serves as an incubator for new ideas. Experiments often lead to surprising discoveries and exploration of unforeseen directions.
The Lab is located in Tech E273. Current equipment includes:
- Optical inverted microscope Zeiss AxioObserver, equipped for phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy on a vibration-damped optical table
- Fast camera Photron SA1.1
- Photometrics Kinetix
- Form 3, Forms Lab 3D printer
- Acquisition hardware including piezo collar and digital camera AxioCam
- Acquisition software and high speed computer
- Various equipment: Harvard syringe pump, cameras, voltage amplifiers, function generators, osmometer, incubator, heat bath, balance, freezer and refrigerator