| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S69290/01 |
| Title: |
A new twist to rotating stratified turbulence |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dritschel, Professor DG |
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| Department: |
Mathematics and Statistics |
| Organisation: |
University of St Andrews |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 March 2004 |
Ends: |
28 February 2007 |
Value (£): |
197,934
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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A fundamental problem in fluid dynamics that remains a mystery, even after half a century of dedicated research, is turbulence. It is a central feature of atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, within which the effects of rotation and stratification are paramount. These effects, however, have not been properly accounted for in previous research. In particular, it is well known in meteorology and oceanography that the distribution of 'potential vorticity' (representing the 'balanced motions') has the greatest influence on the observed fluid motion, whereas higher-frequency 'inertiagravity waves' (representing the 'imbalanced motions') are of secondary importance. Previous studies and numerical simulations have considered these two types of motion to be of comparable importance - however this is not the regime relevant to atmospheric and oceanic turbulence. We propose to study the relevant regime in detail, using arguably the most advanced numerical method available, together with a revolutionary new procedure which optimally distinguishes the balanced and imbalanced motions. This proposal is unique in two major respects: it addresses directly and with an unprecedentedly accurate numerical method the dominantly balanced regime of turbulence, and it offers a new and surprisingly straightforward way forward to cleanly separate balanced and imbalanced motions even in highly-complex flows like turbulence.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.st-and.ac.uk |