Research Spotlight: SAFL Wind Tunnel
A major renovation of the SAFL wind tunnel is currently underway with funding from NASA and NSF. The entire test section floor of the wind tunnel is being replaced with a series of water-cooled aluminum plates, whose temperature can be controlled individually. The result: Researchers can produce large temperature gradients by heating the air up to 45-50 C while cooling the floor down to about 5 C. Experiments using this new technology will begin in August and will be essential in improving the accuracy of large-scale numerical models (e.g., weather models, global circulation models, and air quality models) as well as the accuracy of subgrid-scale models used in large-eddy simulations of turbulent boundary layers over complex terrain. To learn more about the Environmental Fluid Dynamics research group, click here.
For previous Research Spotlight pages, please click here.
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Who We Are
SAFL is the world's only fluid-mechanics laboratory that uses a natural waterfall as its prime water source. For nearly 70 years researchers from around the world have been visiting our unique location on an island in the Mississippi River to conduct research for developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to major environmental, water-resources, and energy-related problems. We would like to extend our warmest invitation to visit our facilities and talk with our research staff and students.
SAFL is also proud to be the headquarters for the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED), an NSF Science and Technology Center.
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