25 Mar Polito-POLIFLASH NEWS
Biodegradable Mini Probes for Atmospheric Monitoring
A technology developed by researchers at the Polytechnic University of Turin is set to change the way we monitor atmospheric conditions. A team from the Departments of Applied Science and Technology (DISAT) and Electronics and Telecommunications (DET) Philofluid Research Group, has patented biodegradable mini probes designed to travel passively through the atmosphere, collecting crucial environmental and meteorological data. These lightweight, eco-friendly probes offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution for both companies looking to track emissions and public institutions responsible for monitoring environmental changes. The project, led by Prof. Daniela Tordella from DISAT, introduces a novel approach to atmospheric data collection. Unlike conventional atmospheric probes that primarily measure air parameters while ascending vertically through the troposphere, these innovative mini probes can explore the atmosphere endoscopically—moving across vast horizontal and vertical distances for extended periods. The system consists of clusters of small radiosondes—each measuring approximately 40 cm in size and weighing just 20 grams. These probes are launched using biodegradable balloons and are equipped with high-precision sensors that measure key atmospheric parameters such as: Temperature, pressure, Humidity, Wind speed and acceleration, Electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere. A key advantage of these microprobes is their ability to monitor air accelerations, providing valuable insights into atmospheric dynamics. This capability allows for early detection of major weather events, helping meteorologists predict storms and other atmospheric phenomena hours in advance. Additionally, data collected by the probes is transmitted via a satellite network, ensuring real-time tracking of their spatial and temporal positions. The information is then sent to ground-based monitoring stations, where it can be analyzed for both scientific research and practical applications.
Waves in Fluids
A study conducted by Prof. Daniela Tordella from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin has shed new light on the propagation of another type of waves: internal waves in moving fluids. We are all constantly surrounded by waves—whether electromagnetic, sound, or fluid waves—that propagate within a medium such as air or water. The research, based on an extensive campaign of over 130,000 numerical simulations, reveals that small-amplitude wave groups propagating within moving fluids exhibit different propagation behaviors depending on their wavelength. The study, soon to be published in the scientific journal Physical Review E, identifies two distinct propagation regimes: dispersive and non-dispersive. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of wave dynamics in fluid motion, with potential implications for various fields, including meteorology, oceanography, and aerospace engineering. For more details please see the Poliflash news.
Computational Studies of Cloud Dynamics: Simulating Atmospheric Phenomena
May 2014
Poliflash N.55
The sky above us holds a fascinating and complex world of turbulent mixing processes that drive cloud formation. If you’ve ever watched clouds develop—some appearing more threatening than others—we have had a visual demonstration of how the turbulent mixing processes that determine the formation of water vapour clouds operate. However, studying these atmospheric phenomena is a major challenge, as they occur at high altitudes where direct measurements are difficult. Today, developed computer simulations offer a powerful tool to explore these processes in greater detail. A study by the PhiloFluid research group at DIMEAS, Politecnico di Torino, has provided new insights into the small-scale fluid dynamics that govern turbulent mixing in cloud formation—particularly in stratocumulus clouds. The research focuses on the transport of water vapor and the way fluctuations in kinetic energy and temperature interact at cloud boundaries, shedding light on previously unexplored mechanisms. A European Recognition for High-Impact Research: The significance of this work has been acknowledged at the European level: PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe) recognized the project as a “success story”, featuring it in its 2013 Annual Report, published in May 2014. Out of 103 international projects conducted between 2010 and 2012, only eight—including this study—were selected for their outstanding contributions to scientific progress. From May 2012 to May 2013, the CURIE supercomputer, based in Paris, allocated an impressive 3,000,000 computing hours (equivalent to 340 years of processing time on a single machine) to support this interdisciplinary research on turbulence. The study was led by Professor Daniela Tordella, a leading expert in Fluid Dynamics, alongside Michele Iovieno and Stefania Scarsoglio.
With this research, PhiloFluid continues to push the boundaries of fluid dynamics, harnessing the power of supercomputing to reveal the hidden physics behind natural phenomena.
Stay updated with the latest discoveries from the PhiloFluid Research Group! 🚀
Stellar Jets in a Bottle
13 April 2011
Poliflash N. 24
In the universe, stellar jets extend for light-years, shaping the structure of the cosmos. But what if it were possible to study them in a laboratory? The PhiloFluid research group has developed an innovative approach to recreating the dynamics of these phenomena on a smaller scale, allowing for an unprecedented level of detail in analyzing their turbulent characteristics.
Through sophisticated fluid dynamics models and advanced simulations, researchers have reproduced the physical conditions governing astrophysical jets, exploring the instability and self-organization mechanisms that regulate the transport of energy and matter in space. This study opens new perspectives on understanding the evolution of cosmic structures and the interactions between jets and the interstellar medium.
The latest research findings have been published in New Journal of Physics, marking a significant step forward in the study of turbulence in astrophysical flows.
European Award by Philofluid Research Group: CURIE Supercomputer to Host Research on Turbulence
1 March 2012
Poliflash N. 35
The Politecnico di Torino, Philofluid Research group has secured a prestigious European award, granting its researchers access to the state-of-the-art CURIE supercomputer at GENCI/CEA in Paris. The group’s cutting-edge studies on turbulence, led by Professor Daniela Tordella from the Department of Science and Technology (DISAT), will utilize an unprecedented 3,000,000 hours of computational time—equivalent to 342 years on a single machine.
Turbulence, far from being just the unsettling air pockets experienced during flights, plays a crucial role in the transport and diffusion of energy, heat, and matter. It governs the movement of essential particles such as air, pollen, and pollutants, influencing both natural processes and human-made systems like internal combustion engines and atmospheric phenomena.
This allocation, granted by PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), recognizes the international significance of Politecnico di Torino’s research. PRACE, a consortium of Europe’s top supercomputing centers (Tier 0 level), provides access to high-performance computing resources for groundbreaking scientific investigations.
Leveraging CURIE’s computational power, the research team aims to develop predictive models that shed light on turbulence-driven transport processes. Their work will quantify the role of self-organization among vortex structures in rapidly distributing substances across vast distances—ranging from the scent of pizza in a bakery to radioactive dispersion following a nuclear accident. The team’s latest findings have been published in Physical Review Letters, a leading journal in interdisciplinary research. The research group includes Daniela Tordella, Michele Iovieno, Stefania Scarsoglio, Francesca De Santi, Silvio di Savino, and Luca Gallana.
See more: Small-Scale Anisotropy in Turbulent Shearless Mixing