Liquid Film Motors
Liquid Film Motors
[pic]
Fiona McLaughlin
Zoe Cheng
Loreto College
Coleraine
Comments
Abstract
We have carried out an experimental and theoretical study of liquid film motors. This phenomenon was first reported in 2009.
Two papers have been published on arXiv.com, the first describing the phenomenon (Shiryaeva et al), the second offering a theoretical model for the observations (Amjadi et al).
The papers differ in their explanations. Shiryaeva claims that rotation is caused by a surface effect but gives no clear mechanism as to how this could arise. Shiryaeva makes use of edge effects arising from Reynold’s Stresses and Taylor Aris dispersion.
On the basis of our investigations we present a new theory which we have called Spinlet theory. This is a development of experiential observations of micro-vortex formation by Zackary Chiragwandi and colleagues at Göteburg University and Chalmers University.
We believe the effect to be a surface effect, enhanced by the concentration of surface charge. We believe edge effects are important as they provide a structure for the initiation of the flow.
We have attempted to link our Spinlet theory with our observations and those of Shiryaeva et al.
We have made and tested a novel prediction that our theory suggested. We believe this effect is not predicted by the other authors’ work.
Introduction
In 2008, a group of Iranian physicists made an interesting discovery. They placed a thin film of water in a small cell and bathed it in two perpendicular electric fields. To their amazement the liquid film began to rotate and for this reason they named it the “liquid film motor”. The question that was raised however was:
“What causes the liquid film to rotate?”
The Iranians who discovered the phenomenon published a paper with their own explanation and results:
CONCLUSIONS (made by the
[pic]
Fiona McLaughlin
Zoe Cheng
Loreto College
Coleraine
Comments
Abstract
We have carried out an experimental and theoretical study of liquid film motors. This phenomenon was first reported in 2009.
Two papers have been published on arXiv.com, the first describing the phenomenon (Shiryaeva et al), the second offering a theoretical model for the observations (Amjadi et al).
The papers differ in their explanations. Shiryaeva claims that rotation is caused by a surface effect but gives no clear mechanism as to how this could arise. Shiryaeva makes use of edge effects arising from Reynold’s Stresses and Taylor Aris dispersion.
On the basis of our investigations we present a new theory which we have called Spinlet theory. This is a development of experiential observations of micro-vortex formation by Zackary Chiragwandi and colleagues at Göteburg University and Chalmers University.
We believe the effect to be a surface effect, enhanced by the concentration of surface charge. We believe edge effects are important as they provide a structure for the initiation of the flow.
We have attempted to link our Spinlet theory with our observations and those of Shiryaeva et al.
We have made and tested a novel prediction that our theory suggested. We believe this effect is not predicted by the other authors’ work.
Introduction
In 2008, a group of Iranian physicists made an interesting discovery. They placed a thin film of water in a small cell and bathed it in two perpendicular electric fields. To their amazement the liquid film began to rotate and for this reason they named it the “liquid film motor”. The question that was raised however was:
“What causes the liquid film to rotate?”
The Iranians who discovered the phenomenon published a paper with their own explanation and results:
CONCLUSIONS (made by the