Hydrodynamic topology transitions: dimensionality and symmetry

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H01859
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 13040:Biophysics, chemical physics and soft matter physics-related
• Research Institution: Ochanomizu University
• Principal Investigator: Okumura Ko お茶の水女子大学, 基幹研究院, 教授 (80271500)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 滴・バブルの動力学 / 擬二次元系 / 融合・分離

Outline of Final Research Achievements

When fluid breaks up or merges, a singular shape appears. Such a singular dynamics of fluid-fluid interface has attracted considerable attention from physicist as well as applied mathematician, partly because its similarity to critical phenomena in thermodynamic transitions. We have conducted experimental as well as theoretical research on such singular dynamics observed in breakup or coalescence of liquid drops in a quasi-two dimensional space. In this study, we further develop this line of research focusing on dimensionality and symmetry. As a result, we found different self-similar dynamics characterized by master curves and the curves do depend sensitively on confinement parameters. These results indicate the existence of rich physics behind them and, thus, further development of the study, including theoretical development based on renormalization group theory, is highly expected.

Free Research Field

ソフトマター物理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では、特異動力学という自然科学の広い分野で見られる現象を、一般の人々が親しみのある現象の中からとりだし、その臨界現象とのアナロジーを、臨界現象に本質的な次元と対称性に着目して探求した。その結果、驚くほど豊富な物理が見え始めており、今後、現代物理学の発展を支える臨界現象の物理への人類の理解の深まりが、さらに期待できる。最先端の物理学が、目に見える日常現象を題材に発展することは、一般の人々の科学に対する興味を啓発することにも大きく貢献するポテンシャルがある。この可能性を探るために、本代表は、本研究をテーマとした一般啓蒙書を出版し、さらに、一般向け一般向けの雑誌に1年間のエッセイ連載も行った。