An innovative method to control and enhance turbulent heat transfer through the use of Lorentz force is proposed. Properly directed, the force control turbulence production in the boundary layers. This approach is called magnetic turbulence control (MTC). The feasibility of the method has been demonstrated in experiments on flat plate turbulent boundary layers with Reynolds number (based on momentum thickness) 1700. Measured turbulent stress was reduced by 90%. Laser-sheet flow visualization confirms the substantial reductions in turbulent motion at y+ = < 15. One of the attractive features of this approach is that through the proper selection of E and B fields and the introduction of the conducting fluid, very small power consumption is needed. In the proposed research, MTC will be extended to thermal boundary layers in water. Correlations between electromagnetic field strengths, heat transfer and shear stress will be determined. A further area of investigation may be the effect of MTC at increased Reynolds numbers.
