Turbulence measurements using a nanoscale thermal anemometry probe

Sean C.C. Bailey, Gary J. Kunkel, Marcus Hultmark, Margit Vallikivi, Jeffrey P. Hill, Karl A. Meyer, Candice Tsay, Craig B. Arnold, Alexander J. Smits

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

130 Scopus citations

Abstract

A nanoscale thermal anemometry probe (NSTAP) has been developed to measure velocity fluctuations at ultra-small scales. The sensing element is a free-standing platinum nanoscale wire, 100 nm×2 μm × 60 μm, suspended between two current-carrying contacts and the sensor is an order of magnitude smaller than presently available commercial hot wires. The probe is constructed using standard semiconductor and MEMS manufacturing methods, which enables many probes to be manufactured simultaneously. Measurements were performed in grid-generated turbulence and compared to conventional hot-wire probes with a range of sensor lengths. The results demonstrate that the NSTAP behaves similarly to conventional hot-wire probes but with better spatial resolution and faster temporal response. The results are used to investigate spatial filtering effects, including the impact of spatial filtering on the probability density of velocity and velocity increment statistics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)160-179
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics
Volume663
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 25 2010

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was made possible by NSF MRI Grant CTS-0421147 and NSF Grant CTS-0625268, monitored by M. W. Plesniak and W. B. Schultz. The authors would also like to thank A. Ashok for his help setting up the grid turbulence measurements.

Keywords

  • MEMS/NEMS
  • turbulent flows

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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