Multi-Media Fluid Mechanics

University Of California-Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara CA

Investigators

Abstract

Engineering - Other (59) In this project we are developing, producing, evaluating and disseminating a series of interactive modules for the teaching and learning of fluid mechanics for undergraduates in science and engineering. The modules focus on fundamentals and have impact across the curricula of Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum, Aeronautical, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Oceanography, Meteorology, Geophysics, Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics. The primary objectives are to enhance student learning in the areas of (i) problem solving, (ii) intuition about complex flow phenomena, and (iii) retention of knowledge. These objectives are met by providing experimental visualizations and computational simulations of fluid flow phenomena in an interactive medium. An extensive set of experimental and computational facilities has been used to produce videos, simulations, and applications programs to demonstrate fluid phenomena. The format, navigation, and multimedia environment closely resembles that used in our previous NSF/DUE-sponsored project, Multi-Media Fluid Mechanics (MMFM I), recently published by Cambridge University Press, but takes advantage of new technologies in programming environments, data compression, digitization, and applications software. In the current project (MMFM II) we are producing modules on the topics of Control Volume Balances, Similarity and Scaling, Interfacial Flows and Phenomena, and Turbulence.