A new study published in the journal Physical Review Fluids has uncovered the dynamics of vortex rings as they collide with a water-air interface. This innovative research provides answers to questions that have confounded scientists for years or even decades. In fact, vortex rings—doughnut-shaped structures—are one of the most important players in all sorts of phenomena. They are critically important for propulsion and biological locomotion in jellyfish and other invertebrates.
To test this hydraulic mechanism, researchers performed laboratory experiments and ran field scale numerical simulations. Their research investigated the behavior of vortex rings at the interface between water and air. This investigation revealed that when a vortex ring reaches this interface, it can result in one of four distinct outcomes: the vortex can dissipate, rebound while largely maintaining its shape, break apart, or cross into the air and transform into a jet of water.
The study reported an unexpected and thrilling finding. A vortex ring may bounce back like a tennis ball hitting a wall. This unexpected finding sheds some light on the complicated factors at work when these types of structures are immersed in various mediums. Zhuang Su is a postdoctoral researcher at NYU Shanghai. Christiana Mavroyiakoumou is an adjunct faculty member at NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Their deep knowledge and financial expertise were instrumental in the research team that carried out this investigation.
The study’s unexpected findings present a novel explanation of the mechanisms controlling vortex rings and their interaction with interfaces. This expertise August builds on our intrinsic comprehension of basic fluid dynamics. It also unlocks promising applications in varied domains such as engineering and biology.
Researchers have majorly studied vortex rings for decades due to their captivating nature. These rings are essential components of natural and artificial propulsion systems. This study helps explain how vortex rings behave once they contact a water-air interface. Its contribution to our understanding is profound, and it opens the door to further research in related areas.
