Flow (from right to left) over an obstacle in a flume simulates some aspects of the slipstream over a semi tractor trailer.

By Zach Stein, Stephen Wong, Andrei Molchanov, and Nick Stites for Spring 2014 Team First.
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Flow (from right to left) over an obstacle in a flume simulates some aspects of the slipstream over a semi tractor trailer.

Turbulent flow over a 5.5 inch model VW Beetle in a flume.

Water droplets at the center of a heated pan exhibit the Leidenfrost effect, where film boiling insulates the droplet. Away from the hottest center, droplets evaporate quickly.

Water droplets coalesce at the center of a heated pan during the Leidenfrost effect, where film boiling insulates the droplet.

Water droplets at the center of a heated pan exhibit the Leidenfrost effect, where film boiling insulates the droplet. Away from the hottest center, droplets evaporate quickly.

Water droplets at the center of a heated pan exhibit the Leidenfrost effect, where film boiling insulates the droplet. Away from the hottest center, droplets evaporate quickly.

Aluminum flakes in a pool of silicone oil heated from below displays the Bénard-Marangoni convection instability. The resemblance to the Sun was achieved with post-processing of color.

Aluminum flakes in a pool of silicone oil heated from below displays the Bénard-Marangoni convection instability.

Aluminum flakes in a pool of silicone oil heated from below displays the Bénard-Marangoni convection instability. Here is a time lapse taken over the period of two minutes.

Bénard-Marangoni convection instability occurs as horizontal layer of silicone oil with aluminum flakes is heated from the bottom with a free surface on top. Variations in temperature cause surface tension gradients that drive the flow.