A research team at Virginia Tech in the US has taken images of silicone oil which will improve the understanding of lubrication processes.
Jets of silicone oil remain separate Image: Virgina Tech |
The images, which won the 2010 international Milton Van Dyke Award, were taken by Sunghwan (Sunny) Jung and his engineering science and mechanics team using silicone oil - a key ingredient in many lubes and hydraulic fluids.
The research was undertaken to gain a greater understanding of the dynamics of fluid coalescence and used two jets of silicone oil fired at an angle onto a single vertical column of the oil. The results showed that a thin film of air is maintained between the jets, keeping each one separate and preventing coalescence.
As well as helping the oil and engineering industry to better understand oil separation dynamics, the research produced some award-winning photographs.