Compressible flows as a research area focus on fluid-dynamic regimes in which density variations play a central role, typically at high Mach numbers or under strong pressure and temperature gradients. This field investigates the governing equations of compressible fluid motion—compressible Navier–Stokes, Euler, and related models—along with shock waves, expansion fans, compressible turbulence, and gasdynamic instabilities. Research topics include numerical methods for capturing discontinuities, high-speed aerodynamics, thermo-fluid coupling, reacting and multi-phase compressible flows, and transition and turbulence modeling, with applications to propulsion, atmospheric entry, blast phenomena, hypersonics, and advanced energy systems.
What happens if liquefied natural gas (LNG) hits the wall of the cargo tanks in a ship? New research from the team of physicist Devaraj van der Meer from the University of Twente, published in the Proceedings of the National ...
Soft Matter
Jan 26, 2026
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Physicists at the University of Osaka have unveiled a breakthrough theoretical framework that uncovers the hidden physical rule behind one of the most powerful compression methods in laser fusion science—the stacked-shock ...
Plasma Physics
Nov 19, 2025
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The origins of extremely high-energy particles that fill the universe—such as protons, electrons, and neutrinos—remain one of the longest-standing mysteries in modern astrophysics. A leading hypothesis suggests that "explosive ...
Astronomy
Oct 24, 2025
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Shock waves should not be shocking—engineers across scientific fields need to be able to precisely predict how the instant and strong pressure changes initiate and dissipate to prevent damage. Now, thanks to a team from ...
General Physics
Oct 17, 2025
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Research teams have established a theoretical method for designing smooth curved wall surfaces with variable cross-section shock tubes, and developed an integrated, high-intensity multifunctional shock tube device. Led by ...
General Physics
Apr 7, 2025
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At hypersonic speeds, complexities occur when the gases interact with the surface of the vehicle, such as boundary layers and shock waves. Researchers in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at The Grainger College of ...
General Physics
Mar 26, 2025
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Physicists at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) have investigated to which extent a piece of music can evoke expectations about its progression. They were able to determine differences in ...
General Physics
Nov 5, 2024
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115
A team of scientists has developed a novel hybrid scheme for both steady and unsteady single-phase compressible flow simulations. Their scheme has potential applications in real-world scenarios, offering a promising avenue ...
Soft Matter
Jul 26, 2024
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When materials are subjected to extreme environments, they face the risk of mixing together. This mixing may result in hydrodynamic instabilities, yielding undesirable side effects. Such instabilities present a grand challenge ...
General Physics
May 13, 2024
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Quantum sensors detect the smallest of environmental changes—for example, an atom reacting to a magnetic field. As these sensors "read" the unique behaviors of subatomic particles, they also dramatically improve scientists' ...
Condensed Matter
May 3, 2024
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