Engineering Art Explorations: An Undergraduate Research
Poster Number
21
Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
The purpose of this research was to design, develop, and fabricate works of engineering art in the area of fluid motion. Three projects were completed, namely flow visualization, a mini-sand terrain device, and modified Hele-Shaw cells. For the flow visualization, experiments were conducted using household fluids including squeezing a bottle of honey into water and capturing the snaking flow as the honey fell to the bottom, timing falling water droplets to capture the resulting splash, and intermixing oil and milk to produce interesting patterns. The mini-sand terrain device is an interactive display that uses stencils to create intricate patterns in the draining sand. Experiments were conducted to determine geometrical parameters such as size and spacing of holes. The device can be disassembled easily and the stencils interchanged. For the modified Hele-Shaw cells, experiments were performed with liquids and air to determine the most aesthetically pleasing combination, which was found to be olive oil and air. Two types of Hele- Shaw cells were fabricated. The first being a cell with several dividers so when picked up and rotated the oil and air flows create interesting flow visuals. The other is a stationary cell on a stand, which allows a smooth interchange of oil and air bubbles through only one gap in a divider. The results of this research will comprise a portfolio to be submitted to Stanford University for admission to their Joint Program in Design.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
Start Date
1-5-2010 10:00 AM
End Date
1-5-2010 12:00 PM
Engineering Art Explorations: An Undergraduate Research
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom B
The purpose of this research was to design, develop, and fabricate works of engineering art in the area of fluid motion. Three projects were completed, namely flow visualization, a mini-sand terrain device, and modified Hele-Shaw cells. For the flow visualization, experiments were conducted using household fluids including squeezing a bottle of honey into water and capturing the snaking flow as the honey fell to the bottom, timing falling water droplets to capture the resulting splash, and intermixing oil and milk to produce interesting patterns. The mini-sand terrain device is an interactive display that uses stencils to create intricate patterns in the draining sand. Experiments were conducted to determine geometrical parameters such as size and spacing of holes. The device can be disassembled easily and the stencils interchanged. For the modified Hele-Shaw cells, experiments were performed with liquids and air to determine the most aesthetically pleasing combination, which was found to be olive oil and air. Two types of Hele- Shaw cells were fabricated. The first being a cell with several dividers so when picked up and rotated the oil and air flows create interesting flow visuals. The other is a stationary cell on a stand, which allows a smooth interchange of oil and air bubbles through only one gap in a divider. The results of this research will comprise a portfolio to be submitted to Stanford University for admission to their Joint Program in Design.