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How wind turbines react to turbulence

Researchers from the University of Oldenburg developed a new stochastic method to mitigate sudden swings in wind turbine power output. The study found that control systems are mainly responsible for short-term fluctuations and can be optimized to ensure more consistent energy output.

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPRX Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 19, 2023

Pumping like the heart

Researchers found a 27% decrease in mean friction and a 9% reduction in energy demand through pulsating pumping similar to the human heart. This approach could lead to less costly modifications than pipe wall changes or actuators, benefiting industrial applications.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

A better understanding of turbulence

Scientists at Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization have challenged long-held assumptions about turbulent flows, finding deviations from established scaling laws in highly idealized environments. This discovery has implications for understanding turbulence in engineered flows, weather forecasts, and climate models.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Sailing cargo ships can benefit from new aerodynamic tech

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method to reduce ship aerodynamic drag, which could lead to significant energy efficiency gains and reduced fuel consumption. The method uses the Coanda effect to create a more efficient airflow around the ship's superstructure, reducing drag by 7.5%.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 4, 2023

New pumping strategy could slash energy costs of fluid transport by 22%

A new pumping strategy has been developed to slash energy costs of fluid transport by up to 22%. By switching pumps on and off, turbulent flows can be reduced, resulting in more efficient fluid transport. This approach could bring significant economic and environmental benefits, particularly for the transition to green energy.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 17, 2023

Flight of birds can help provide predictions on turbulence, new study suggests

Researchers have discovered that the flight patterns of birds can be used to estimate fine-scale environmental conditions and turbulence levels. The team measured bird altitude and motion using GPS and data loggers attached to pigeons, finding a correlation between the birds' behavior and turbulence strength.

SourceSwansea University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeObservational study·DateNov 16, 2022

New wind field models accurately describe wind gusts

Researchers at the University of Oldenburg have developed a new statistical model that accurately describes wind turbulence and generates fully three-dimensional wind fields using limited measurement points. This breakthrough enables precise wind turbine load estimation and improves wind farm planning, with applications in various fiel...

SourceUniversity of Oldenburg·JournalPRX Energy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 15, 2022

Clear as mud

A team of researchers used clear mud to study turbulence in water flows, discovering that low clay concentrations alter the structure of turbulent dynamics. This finding has implications for understanding sediment transport and predicting flow behavior in natural environments.

Surprising turbulence

Researchers at HZDR simulated liquid metal flow behavior and found that turbulence under certain conditions leads to reduced heat transport. This finding has implications for battery technology and our understanding of the Earth's core.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2022

Discovery of high-speed moving plasma turbulence for the first time in the world

Researchers at NIFS have made a groundbreaking discovery in fusion plasmas, finding that turbulence moves faster than heat. This characteristic allows for predictive control of plasma temperature, paving the way for real-time manipulation. The study used advanced instruments to measure turbulent behavior with unprecedented accuracy.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 19, 2022

Scientists solve solar secret

Researchers have solved a key part of the coronal heating problem by merging two previous theories into one. The study used six-dimensional supercomputer simulations to show how turbulence creates magnetic waves that heat the gas in the Sun's atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Otago·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 24, 2022

Researchers use supercomputers for largest-ever turbulence simulations of its kind

Researchers at TU Darmstadt and Universitat Politècnica de València used HPC resources to develop a new symmetry-based turbulence theory, resolving the closure problem of turbulence. This approach allows for reduced computational grid size and direct access to mean values like air pressure and speed.

SourceGauss Centre for Supercomputing·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 14, 2022

Twitter reveals dynamics of stories surrounding Trump’s presidency

A computational analysis of billions of tweets has uncovered high-resolution timelines of the major stories surrounding Trump's presidency from 2016 to 2021. The study found that turbulence in these stories varied over time, with dominant narratives emerging for longer periods during certain periods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 8, 2021

Fiber tracking method delivers important new insights into turbulence

A new experimental method tracks the motion of fibers instead of particles to reveal previously hidden information about turbulent flows. The researchers developed an innovative solution using rigid fibers, which allowed them to measure the speed and direction of flow at two points a fixed distance apart.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 17, 2021

Secrets of COVID-19 transmission revealed in turbulent puffs

Researchers developed a new model to study turbulent puffs, revealing the impact of temperature and humidity on turbulence. The findings suggest that buoyancy plays a significant role in shaping the behavior of tiny fluctuations within the puff, which can affect the movement of airborne droplets.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 25, 2021

More than a bumpy ride: turbulence offers boost to birds

A Cornell University-led study reveals that birds can use turbulence to their advantage, offering a potential boost to the aerospace industry. The research found that birds' accelerations are highly irregular and fluctuating, similar to particles in turbulent airflows, allowing them to harness energy from wind speed.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021