Thermal Physics has common roots in thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and statistical mechanics. Projects span fundamental research to industrial applications. Areas of investigation include:

• Hydrodynamic instability and pattern formation, rotating fluids, geophysical fluid dynamics, turbulence, particle-fluid interactions and dynamics of granular media. Techniques include optical shadowgraph, precision heat transport, laser Doppler velocimetry, particle-image and particle-tracking velocimetry, and high-speed/high-resolution video imaging. This research group is led by Robert Ecke.
• Fundamental and applied research and development in thermoacoustic heat engines, refrigeration, and mixture separation. Development of an industrial-scale natural gas liquifier is a prominent part of the thermoacoustics program which is directed by Greg Swift.
• Liquid-metal spallation neutron test (Delta) loop design and operation is headed by Ning Li as part of the Lab-wide Accelerator Transmutation Technologies Program. The Delta Loop maintains collaborations throughout the world with applications to novel spallation neutron sources and to accelerator transmution of waste programs.

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