Spring 2013

The following is a list of applied maths seminar dates for the forthcoming semester. The seminars usually take place on Monday afternoons at 2pm.

Student BAMC Practice Talks

Date: Monday 18th March, 2pm, SCI 3.05

Multi-layer Curtain Coating
Speaker: Julian Thompson
Abstract: We discuss experiments and theory for multi-layer curtain coating. Curtain
coating is used in the manufacturing of photographic film, often needing
several layers for colour photographs. This requires an even coating, so
minimising disturbances is essential. Previous experiments on curtain
coating have been done by manufacturers and as such are hidden in patents.
We have conducted experiments for various parameter ranges to deduce an
acceptable parameter range for the curtain to remain stable. Our work
extends this to three layers. It is found that the flow rate to create a
stable curtain in general is greater than the flow rate at which the curtain
breaks up. This involves finding the velocity field for multiple layer flow
down an inclined plane for fixed layer thicknesses and perturbing by small
quantities to analyse stability. A preliminary theoretical analysis
considers the stability of the layers flowing down an inclined plane before
they reach the lip and form a curtain.

The Effect of Wall Inertia on Oscillations in an Elastic-Walled Tube
Speaker: Martin Walters
Abstract: Fluid flow through elastic-walled tubes has many biological applications, including to the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It is found that in certain parameter regimes, steady flow  through such tubes is unstable to self-excited oscillations. Whittaker et al (2010, Proc Roy Soc A 466) solved an asymptotic model for the onset of self-excited oscillations in a long, thin-walled, flexible tube clamped between two rigid tubes, with a large axial tension. However, this work neglected the effects of wall inertia. Here, we add wall inertia terms to the governing equations for the wall mechanics and derive a new 'tube law' to describe the wall motion. Using this, along with a description of the fluid dynamics of the flow, we quantify the effect of wall inertia on the stability and growth rate of the oscillations. We find that wall inertia is a destabilising effect.

For further details about the seminars, or to join our mailing list, please contact Robert Whittaker.

On contact line dynamics with mass transfer

Date: Monday 25th March, 11am
Speaker: Jim Oliver (University of Oxford)
Abstract: