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Rolling with the waves

Roll waves play a crucial role in hydraulic engineering, but current design standards overlook their formation. Researchers at Kyoto University discovered a fundamental flaw in existing standards, revealing the importance of understanding unsteady flows like roll waves.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 15, 2026

Printing with ice

Researchers have developed a method to print three-dimensional structures in ice using evaporative cooling, which also regulates body temperature. The technique allows for printing arbitrary profiles without additional support, with applications in biology and microfluidics.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 3, 2026

Hanbat National University researchers reveal physics-informed AI for rapid optimization of thermal energy storage systems

Researchers at Hanbat National University developed a hybrid physics-informed neural network framework for optimization of latent heat thermal energy storage systems. The framework enables rapid, autonomous design optimization by teaching the AI model governing laws of physics.

SourceHanbat National University Industry–University Cooperation Foundation·JournalJournal of Energy Storage·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 17, 2026

Explosive evaporation unlocks new possibilities in 3D printing and chemical analysis

Researchers have discovered two thresholds for the behavior of charged water droplets on frictionless surfaces, enabling finer control over electrospray processes and opening up opportunities for nanofabrication. The study's findings may also lead to greener scientific techniques.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2026

Why dolphins swim so fast: the secrets of eddies

A team of researchers from The University of Osaka used supercomputer simulations to study how vortices generated by dolphin kicks power fast swimming. They found that large, powerful vortices created by the movement of the dolphin's tail are responsible for most of the propulsion, while smaller ones contribute little to forward motion.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 27, 2026

New MIT study bridges the worlds of classical and quantum physics

Researchers at MIT have discovered a mathematical connection between quantum mechanics and classical physics, enabling the description of quantum behavior using everyday classical ideas. The team's findings shed light on phenomena such as the double-slit experiment, which has long been challenging to explain using classical tools.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·DateApr 22, 2026

Drexel researchers discover liquids have a breaking point

Drexel researchers have found that, given the right strain rate, simple liquids can fracture like solid objects. This discovery suggests that viscosity plays a more significant role in the mechanical properties of liquids than previously thought, potentially leading to new possibilities for manipulating liquids in various applications.

SourceDrexel University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 26, 2026

How fast does smoke rise, rain fall, and a supernova explode?

Researchers at OIST and University of Turin developed a general formulation for mixing heavy particles with fluid, enabling study of fundamental physics phenomena and applied research in fluid engineering. Simulations reveal the formation of sediment plumes and the role of friction in particle interactions.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 11, 2026

Modeling how pollen flows through urban areas

A team of researchers developed a computational model to study how pollen disperses in urban areas, influenced by factors such as tree geometry, wind speed, and direction. The model provides quantitative insight to inform urban planning decisions and reduce the risks associated with airborne allergenic pollen exposure.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 10, 2026

How does snow gather on a roof?

Researchers developed a model to calculate snow accumulation on roofs, considering snowflake size and distribution. Larger snow particles lead to greater accumulation, while higher wind speeds reduce depth. The study provides insights for building codes and guidelines for snow loading.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMar 10, 2026

Frontier simulations test turbulence theories at record 35 trillion grid points

Researchers used the Frontier supercomputer to perform a record-breaking direct numerical simulation of turbulence in three dimensions, achieving a resolution of 35 trillion grid points. The study offers new insights into turbulent fluid flows, which govern various natural and engineered phenomena.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Fluid Dynamics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 12, 2026

Uncovering patterns amid chaos

A recent NSF grant will support the development of new diagnostics and predictive models for understanding self-competition and weak asymmetry in turbulent flows. The project aims to uncover hidden patterns that current models miss, leading to improved simulations in weather forecasting, climate modeling, and engineering design.

Seeing the whole from a part: Revealing hidden turbulent structures from limited observations and equations

Researchers discovered that only observing the flow down to a specific scale is enough to reconstruct the full motion of fluid in two-dimensional turbulence, unlike three-dimensional systems. This finding has significant implications for modeling and prediction in atmospheric and ocean circulation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 9, 2026

New research from Harbin Institute of Technology aims to predict turbulence like weather – with probability

Researchers develop a probabilistic framework to predict turbulence onset in flow systems, enabling better forecasting of extreme weather events and understanding climate tipping points. This approach has potential implications for atmospheric science, aviation, and meteorology.

SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateFeb 8, 2026

New study suggests chiral skyrmion flows can be used for logic devices

Researchers at Waseda University have demonstrated a transformative approach for realizing skyrmion logic based on fluidic principles, utilizing the flow behavior of many skyrmions to simplify device operations. This breakthrough enables the development of nanofluidic logic gates with reduced complexity and improved stability.

SourceWaseda University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 18, 2025

Miniscule wave machine opens big scientific doors

University of Queensland researchers have developed a microscopic 'ocean' on a silicon chip, allowing for the study of wave dynamics at an unprecedented scale. The device, made with superfluid helium, enables the observation of striking phenomena, including waves that lean backward and shock fronts.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Turbulence with a twist

UC San Diego researchers Guru K. Jayasingh and Nigel Goldenfeld have predicted that a pipe's curvature can lead to a discontinuous turbulent transition beyond a critical flow velocity. This phenomenon is mathematically equivalent to the freezing of water, leveraging tricritical directed percolation theory.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 11, 2025

“Major floods and droughts every 15 years” ... AI forecasts a crisis

A new study led by Professor Jonghun Kam predicts that Pakistan will experience major floods and severe droughts on a periodic basis, exacerbated by accelerating global warming. The AI model forecasts these extreme weather events every 15 years for the upper Indus River, and roughly every 11 years for surrounding rivers.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·DateSep 2, 2025

Hidden turbulence discovered in polymer fluids

Researchers at OIST have found that two types of turbulence coexist in everyday fluids like shampoos and ketchup, shifting from inertial to elastic turbulence at the smallest scales. This discovery bridges two branches of turbulence research and has potential implications for industries relying on polymers.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 22, 2025

Designing better brain shunts

Bioengineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a computational model called BrainFlow that simulates cerebrospinal fluid flow in the presence of shunt implants, providing insight into optimal shunt design and placement for hydrocephalus patients.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 21, 2025