Department of Mathematics

Speaker: Oleg Zikanov
Title: Effect of Magnetic Fields on Flows of Electrically Conducting Fluids
Affiliation: University of Michigan
Date: Friday, December 3, 2010
Place and Time: Room 101, Love Building, 3:35-4:30 pm
Refreshments: Room 204, Love Building, 3:00 pm

Abstract. Motion of an electrically conducting fluid in a magnetic field generates electric currents and produces Lorentz force, which affects the flow. We consider this interaction for the technologically interesting case of low magnetic Reynolds numbers, in which the additional magnetic field induced by the fluid motion is weak. The results illustrate the spectacular and, often, unexpected way, in which the applied magnetic field transforms familiar turbulent and transitional flows.