Research
My research focuses on multiphysics interactions in fluid dynamics, particularly investigating how multiphase fluids, solids, and solutes interact. I investigate these using a combination of custom experiments, theoretical modeling, and computational simulations. Much of my work is motivated by ocean and atmospheric systems, working to understand mechanisms which govern processes like carbon sequestration and microplastics transport.
Ongoing Work
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Capillary-gravity waves and streaming flows induced by heaving bodies at a free surface
R. Hunt, J.-W. Barotta, D.M. Harris
This work investigates the streaming flow induced by wavemakers which oscillate at an air-water interface. I have been able to analytically predict the structure of these flows, which emerge as the axisymmetry of the wavemaker is broken, and I validate these predictions using a custom method for simultaneous surface reconstruction and surface velocity measurement (pictured above). Organisms generate such flows for feeding and locomotion, and I hope to use these predictions to better understand these natural processes while also developing methods for wave-based control of surface particles.