Mechanical Engineering - Research Publications
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ItemNo Preview AvailableModelling the downstream development of a turbulent boundary layer following a step change of roughness(CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS, 2022-09-23)In this study, we develop an analytical model to predict the turbulent boundary layer downstream of a step-change in the surface roughness where upstream flow conditions are given. We first revisit the classical model of Elliott (Trans. Am. Geophys. Union, vol. 39, 1958, pp. 1048–1054), who modelled the velocity distribution within and above the internal layer with a simple piecewise logarithmic profile, and evolved the velocity profile using the streamwise momentum equation. Elliott's model was originally developed for an atmospheric surface layer, and to make the model applicable to a spatially developing turbulent boundary layer with finite thickness, we propose a number of more physical refinements, including adding a wake function to the velocity profile, considering the growth of the entire boundary layer in the streamwise direction, and using a more realistic shear stress profile in the momentum equation. In particular, we implement the blending model (Li et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 923, 2021, p. A18) to account for the deviation of the mean flow within the internal layer from a canonical velocity profile based on the local wall condition. These refinements lead to improved agreement between the prediction and the measurement, especially in the vicinity of the rough-to-smooth change.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableInvestigation of cold-wire spatial and temporal resolution issues in thermal turbulent boundary layers(ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, 2022-04)
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ItemNo Preview AvailableNavier-Stokes-based linear model for unstably stratified turbulent channel flows(AMER PHYSICAL SOC, 2022-04-06)
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ItemAn extensional strain sensing mechanosome drives adhesion-independent platelet activation at supraphysiological hemodynamic gradients(BMC, 2022-03-24)BACKGROUND: Supraphysiological hemodynamics are a recognized driver of platelet activation and thrombosis at high-grade stenosis and in blood contacting circulatory support devices. However, whether platelets mechano-sense hemodynamic parameters directly in free flow (in the absence of adhesion receptor engagement), the specific hemodynamic parameters at play, the precise timing of activation, and the signaling mechanism(s) involved remain poorly elucidated. RESULTS: Using a generalized Newtonian computational model in combination with microfluidic models of flow acceleration and quasi-homogenous extensional strain, we demonstrate that platelets directly mechano-sense acute changes in free-flow extensional strain independent of shear strain, platelet amplification loops, von Willebrand factor, and canonical adhesion receptor engagement. We define an extensional strain sensing "mechanosome" in platelets involving cooperative Ca2+ signaling driven by the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 (as the primary strain sensor) and the fast ATP gated channel P2X1 (as the secondary signal amplifier). We demonstrate that type II PI3 kinase C2α activity (acting as a "clutch") couples extensional strain to the mechanosome. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that platelets are adapted to rapidly respond to supraphysiological extensional strain dynamics, rather than the peak magnitude of imposed wall shear stress. In the context of overall platelet activation and thrombosis, we posit that "extensional strain sensing" acts as a priming mechanism in response to threshold levels of extensional strain allowing platelets to form downstream adhesive interactions more rapidly under the limiting effects of supraphysiological hemodynamics.
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ItemAn energy-efficient pathway to turbulent drag reduction(NATURE PORTFOLIO, 2021-10-04)Simulations and experiments at low Reynolds numbers have suggested that skin-friction drag generated by turbulent fluid flow over a surface can be decreased by oscillatory motion in the surface, with the amount of drag reduction predicted to decline with increasing Reynolds number. Here, we report direct measurements of substantial drag reduction achieved by using spanwise surface oscillations at high friction Reynolds numbers ([Formula: see text]) up to 12,800. The drag reduction occurs via two distinct physical pathways. The first pathway, as studied previously, involves actuating the surface at frequencies comparable to those of the small-scale eddies that dominate turbulence near the surface. We show that this strategy leads to drag reduction levels up to 25% at [Formula: see text] = 6,000, but with a power cost that exceeds any drag-reduction savings. The second pathway is new, and it involves actuation at frequencies comparable to those of the large-scale eddies farther from the surface. This alternate pathway produces drag reduction of 13% at [Formula: see text] = 12,800. It requires significantly less power and the drag reduction grows with Reynolds number, thereby opening up potential new avenues for reducing fuel consumption by transport vehicles and increasing power generation by wind turbines.
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ItemHeat Transfer Coefficient Estimation for Turbulent Boundary Layers(The University of Queensland, 2020-12-11)Convective heat transfer in rough wall-bounded turbulent flows is prevalent in many engineering applications, such as in gas turbines and heat exchangers. At present, engineers lack the design tools to accurately predict the convective heat transfer in the presence of non-smooth boundaries. Accordingly, a new turbulent boundary layer facility has been commissioned, where the temperature of an interchangeable test surface can be precisely controlled, and conductive heat losses are minimized. Using this facility, we can estimate the heat transfer coefficient (Stanton number, St), through measurement of the power supplied to the electrical heaters and also from measurements of the thermal and momentum boundary layers evolving over this surface. These methods have been initially investigated over a shorter smooth prototype heated surface and compared with existing St prediction models. Preliminary results suggest that we can accurately estimate St in this facility.
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ItemAn investigation of cold-wire spatial resolution using a DNS database(The University of Queensland, 2020-12-11)The effect of spatial resolution of cold-wire anemometry on both the variance and energy spectrum of temperature fluctuations is analyzed through the use of a numerical database. Temperature fluctuation snapshots from a direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a heated smooth-wall turbulent channel flow are spatially averaged in the spanwise direction to simulate the wire filtering. The results show that the wire length does not affect the mean temperature while it significantly attenuates the variance of temperature fluctuations, particularly in the vicinity of the wall. As the filter length grows, the peaks of the one- and two-dimensional energy spectrograms are further attenuated. Limited attenuation is seen when the filter length is smaller than 30 wall units in the vicinity of the wall, whereas a complete suppression of the near-wall energetic peak is observed when the filter length exceeds 100 wall units.
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ItemCharacterising Momentum Flux Events in High Reynolds Number Turbulent Boundary Layers(MDPI AG, 2021-04-20)The momentum flux in a canonical turbulent boundary layer is known to have a time-series signature that is characterised by a highly intermittent variation, which includes very short periods of intense flux activity. Here, we study the variation in these flux signal characteristics across almost a decade of flow Reynolds number (Reτ) by analysing datasets acquired using miniature cross-wire probes with matched spatial resolution. The analysis is facilitated by conditionally sampling the signal based on the quadrant (Qi; i = 1–4) and magnitude of the flux, revealing fractional cumulative contribution from Q4 to increase at a much faster rate than from Q2 with Reτ. An episodic description of the flux signal is subsequently undertaken, which associates this rapid increase in Q4 contributions with the emergence of extreme and rare flux events with Reτ. The same dataset is also used to test Townsend’s hypothesis on the active and inactive components of the momentum flux, which are obtained for the first time by implementing a spectral linear stochastic estimation-based decomposition methodology. While the active component is found to be the dominant contributor to the mean momentum flux consistent with Townsend’s hypothesis, the inactive component is found to be small but non-zero, owing to the non-linear interactions associated with the modulation phenomenon. Finally, an episodic description of the active and inactive momentum flux signal is undertaken to highlight the starkly different time series characteristics of the two flux components. The inactive flux signal is found to comprise individual statistically significant events associated with all four quadrants, leading to a small net contribution to the total flux.
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ItemCoriolis effect on centrifugal buoyancy-driven convection in a thin cylindrical shell(Cambridge University Press (CUP), 2021-03-10)We study the effect of the Coriolis force on centrifugal buoyancy-driven convection in a rotating cylindrical shell with inner cold wall and outer hot wall. This is done by performing direct numerical simulations for increasing inverse Rossby number Ro−1 from zero (no Coriolis force) to 20 (very large Coriolis force) and for Rayleigh number Ra from 107 to 1010 and Prandtl number Pr=0.7, corresponding to air. We invoke the thin-shell limit, which neglects the curvature and radial variations of the centripetal acceleration. As Ro−1 increases from zero, the system forms an azimuthal bidirectional wind that reaches its maximum momentum at an optimal Ro−1opt, associated with a maximal skin-friction coefficient Cf and a minimal Nusselt number Nu. Just beyond Ro−1opt, the wind weakens and an axial, quasi-two-dimensional cyclone, corotating with the system, begins to form. A local ‘turbulence’ inverse Rossby number (non-dimensionalised by the eddy turnover time) determines the onset of cyclone formation for all Ra, when its value reaches approximately 4. At Ro−1≫Ro−1opt, the system falls into the geostrophic regime with a sudden drop in Nu. The bidirectional wind for Ro−1≤Ro−1opt is a feature of this system, as it hastens the boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent, towards the ultimate regime. We see the onset of this transition at Ra=1010 and Ro−1≃Ro−1opt, although the mean flow profile has not yet fully collapsed on the Prandtl–von Kármán (logarithmic) law.
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ItemNo Preview AvailableAre surgical masks manufactured from sterilisation wrap safe?(ELSEVIER INC, 2021-05)BACKGROUND: Due to regional shortages some health services have proposed using surgical masks manufactured from sterilisation wrap. However, there has been little assessment of the safety of this practice. Therefore, we developed our own prototypes and evaluated whether they met regulatory standards. METHODS: Surgical mask prototypes were manufactured from two thickness grades of commercial sterilisation wrap. Safety was assessed in the context of regulatory standards. As it was not previously reported, we developed and performed differential pressure and synthetic blood penetration resistance experiments in accordance with official methodology. RESULTS: Bacterial filtration efficiency was comparable between sterilisation wrap and commercial surgical masks. Both prototypes met regulatory standards for synthetic blood resistance, whilst only our thinner mask fulfilled acceptable differential pressure ('breathability') thresholds. CONCLUSION: Acceptable barrier and breathability properties can be achieved with surgical masks produced from sterilisation wrap. Therefore, this may be a reasonable method to supplement stock if required. Unless there are shortages mandating alternatives, health-care workers should always use approved personal protective equipment.