Fundamental insights into the governing mechanisms for turbulent flows have typically been obtained using advanced experimental methods. More recently, "Direct Numerical Simulations (DNS)" of the Navier-Stokes equations permit such insights to be derived from computations. The fundamental limitation for the latter is the number of grid nodes that can be utilized. This limitation effects the Reynolds number in terms of the ratio of the largest to the smallest scales of the motion.
The PI will exploit, along with his student, a unique opportunity to carry out DNS computations at significantly larger R-values than those previously available. It is expected that significant insights into scaling effects, Lagrangian transport and scalar mixing will result.