This is a very interesting training material of engineering/physical sciences. This apparatus was developed by Prototype Machinist, John DeMoss and Dr. Kevin Cahill of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. It costs 450$ and you can buy it from here
This apparatus is an effective and safe educational tool or conceptual aide that displays the properties of laminar flow. The apparatus is designed to for easy operations and cleaning and provides great visual, real-time display of laminar flow. Students and educators will enjoy using the apparatus while gaining valuable knowledge of fluid dynamics.
What is laminar flow?
When a fluid (gas or liquid) flows in a defined manner with distinct paths it is said to be in laminar flow. Laminar flow is a fundamental physical phenomenon that occurs frequently in everyday life. However, the concept of laminar flow can sometimes be difficult to put into context when discussing fluid dynamics. Turbulent flow on the other hand may be a little easier to explain as the only requirement is that there is no order to the fluids fluctuations. When attempting to illustrate the properties associated with laminar flow this apparatus is most effective.
How it works
This apparatus allows for the visual examination of a fluid undergoing laminar flow. Initially, within the apparatus, various colored droplets are suspended in a fluid and all are in a state of equilibrium where the different fluids are distinctly separated. When the apparatus is rotated the fluids revolve in a controlled manner and the droplets seem to become completely intermixed yet still divided from the outer fluid. After several rotations the apparatus is then operated in the reverse direction. Since the Reynolds number within this apparatus is less then one, an almost complete reversal of the previous laminar flow is undertaken. The result is that after the same amount of rotations in the opposite direction, the droplets return to their initial, distinctly separated, forms.
What the video by click the image below to take more insight. The video was filmed at the University of New Mexico - Physics Department.
