Friday, October 2 • 2:30 PM – PWEB, Rm. 175

Thermofluidic and interfacial dynamics of spark-ignited metallic droplets

Dr. Sukalyan Bhattacharya

Texas Tech University

Abstract: In the first part of this talk, an intriguing experimental observation is discussed where highspeed imaging captures thermofluidic dynamics of spark-ignited nano Aluminum powder. The phenomenon consists of initial detachment, subsequent pulsation, occasional fragmentation and eventual explosion of molten metallic masses separated from the original bulk resting on a copper plate. We provide a phenomenological description elucidating every aspect of the entire process. The key consideration in constructing the explanation is recognition of the anomalous frequency value of interfacial oscillation of the metallic droplets revealing important details of their opaque interior. This leads to the second part of the talk where a novel theory shows how wave features at a drop surface can be exploited to quantify size and position of bubbles or solid particles inside the liquid domain. Such in-vivo diagnostic capability has similarity to atomic spectroscopy or application of Bragg’s law in crystallography, and can be useful in a wide range of fields including combustion technology and material processing. •

Biographical Sketch: Dr. Bhattacharya received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Yale University in 2005. Prior to that, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Jadavpur University in 1997, and obtained his Master’s degree at University of Connecticut in 2000. Upon Ph. D. graduation, he joined the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas Tech University as an assistant professor, and became an associate professor in 2011. His research interest includes low Reynolds number hydrodynamics, turbulence, turbulent scalar transport, and statistical mechanics.

For additional information, please contact Prof. Xinyu Zhao at (860) 486-0241, xinyuz@engr.uconn.edu or Laurie Hockla at (860) 486-2189, hockla@engr.uconn.edu

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