Current research efforts involve developing a broad portfolio of microparticles of relevant sizes and compositions to enable the capability of multidisciplinary advanced sensing in ATP facilities. Particles have already been used in several wind tunnel facilities at NASA, other government agencies, and in university wind tunnels. Polystyrene particles (PSL)s, of narrow size distribution, synthesized for use in wind tunnel Particle-Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Particle diameters are on the order of one micrometer. Clockwise, starting from the upper left image: 1) a Scanning Electron Microsope (SEM) image of PSLs, 2) a plot of particle diameter vs salt concentration, 3) a half aluminum-coated “smart” particle, 4) confocal fluorescent imaging of rhodamine-doped PSLs, and 5) selective excitation of dual dye-doped PSLs.
NASA
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Test Technology has the capability to provide different forms of information that may come from known flow measurement techniques. New information and new usages that come from existing techniques may result in system improvements for both research and design.
Different flow measurement techniques allow researchers and engineers to interpret a myriad of different flow characteristics. By applying these techniques, researchers have additional capabilities of measuring characteristics such as:
- Shock shape and formation
- Flow separation
- Laminar or turbulent flow
- Flow velocity and direction
- Vortex shedding
- Wake characteristics
