Achievement

IGERT Trainee Margaret Byron developed a method for refractive-index-matched flow visualization using hydrogels and embedded tracer particles for use in biological modeling and experimental study of multiphase flow around solid objects. She published her new method in Experimental Fluids with IGERT Advisor Evan Variano. Materials currently used for visualization are rigid and matched to liquids that are costly or highly viscous. These properties restrict measurement at high Reynolds number and accurate modeling of flexible structures. IGERT Trainee Byron’s work relies on two hydrogels (agarose and polyacrylamide) as refractive-index-matched models in water. These hydrogels can be cast into required shapes, have the flexibility to be tuned to match biological materials and are inexpensive. Using water as the fluid phase permits this method to be implemented in many experimental facilities and facilitates research in high-Reynolds-numbers.