Thin Film Rupture from the Atomic Scale

The retraction of thin films, as described by the Taylor-Culick (TC) theory, is subject to widespread debate, particularly for films at the nanoscale. We use non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to explore the validity of the assumptions used in continuum models, by tracking the evolution of holes in a film. By deriving a new mathematical form for the surface shape and considering a locally varying surface tension at the front of the retracting film, we reconcile the original theory with our simulation data to recover a corrected TC speed valid at the nanoscale

Control of Transonic Shock Wave Oscillation over a Supercritical Airfoil

In the present study, a numerical investigation is carried out on the aerodynamic performance of a supercritical airfoil RAE 2822. Transonic flow fields are considered where self-excited shock wave oscillation prevails. To control the shock oscillation, a passive technique in the form of an open rectangular cavity is introduced on the upper surface of the airfoil where the shock wave oscillates. Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations have been used to predict the aerodynamic behavior of the baseline airfoil and airfoil with cavity at Mach number of 0.729 and at angle of attack of 5˚. The aerodynamic characteristics of the baseline airfoil are well validated with the available experimental data. It is observed that the introduction of a cavity around the airfoil upper surface can completely stop the self-excited shock wave oscillation and successively improve the aerodynamic characteristics