Abstract
We introduce a new concept for the manipulation of fluid flow around three-dimensional bodies. Inspired by transformation optics, the concept is based on a mathematical idea of coordinate transformations and physically implemented with anisotropic porous media permeable to the flow of fluids. In two situations—for an impermeable object placed either in a free-flowing fluid or in a fluid-filled porous medium—we show that the object can be coated with an inhomogeneous, anisotropic permeable medium, such as to preserve the flow that would have existed in the absence of the object. The proposed fluid flow cloak eliminates downstream wake and compensates viscous drag, hinting at the possibility of novel propulsion techniques.
- Received 11 June 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.074501
© 2011 American Physical Society
Erratum
Erratum: Fluid Flow Control with Transformation Media [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 074501 (2011)]
Yaroslav A. Urzhumov and David R. Smith
Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 189902 (2011)
Synopsis
Leave no trace
Published 11 August 2011
Objects could move through water without generating a wake if they are shrouded with a combination of porous materials and tiny pumps.
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