Research

Ultra-low-drag hydrodynamics

MIT research uncovers new process relating to the way drops of water spread after striking a surface


In any real application, things are dynamic.

Kripa Varanasi, associate professor



As part of a study in hydrodynamics, MIT researchers are studying how to decrease drag by taming the forces at work when a water droplet strikes a surface. The phenomenon could help engineers design more durable condensing surfaces, which are used in desalination plants and steam-based power plants. The effect also explains why blades used in power-plant turbines tend to degrade so rapidly, and could lead to the design of more durable turbines. Improving turbine longevity and efficiency could reduce plant downtime and increase overall output, thus helping to curb global greenhouse gas emissions.


Research Areas

This research was supported in part by the MIT Energy Initiative Seed Fund

Team

Research Team

Kripa Varanasi Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Hyuk-Min Kwon Mechanical Engineering
Adam Paxson Mechanical Engineering
Neelesh Patankar Northwestern University

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