Who am I?
I’m Boone Fleenor, a sophomore here at Mary Washington studying Applied Physics and Mathematics, and I am a new DKC Fellow. A large portion of my education has been dedicated to the research, understanding, and application of fluids, namely water. In physics, we call this the Fluid dynamics. Last semester, I began a research project with Physics and Geography Department, to design, produce, and test a flume that could have physical applications for the Geography Department. Believe it or not, all of these concepts begin with Physics!
What are flumes?
Flumes are man-made channels, typically constructed of glass or a composite plastic, like plexiglass, that runs water through it for a number of purposes. Water is then released or pumped across the length of the box, which can then be measured, observed, and exploited for energy. The first flumes date back to the mid-1800s, where they were used by logging companies to easily and efficiently transport logs down mountains, using the negative incline. Similarly, Disney World uses flumes to transport cars around water roller coasters. In Geography, the flume is being constructed to observe sediment distribution, eddy formation, and erosion. And in Physics, we observe the way that water transitions through different kinds of flow-types, as we create obstructions. Thus, flumes are versatile machines that can have applications in a variety of fields, where their shape and size is manipulated.
With the DKC:
The flume built for my research project was designed to meet certain specifications, particular to the needs of the Geography Department. However, I envisioned the a flume that could be used in the Physics Department, that had different specifications. The Digital Knowledge Center is granting me the ability to design and construct my own flume to be used for future research with the Physics Department. The dimensions and applications of this flume are entirely up to my discretion, and the DKC is aiding me in the process in ways such as supplying me with materials and teaching me to use 3D printing technology. Some of the ways(but not all) that I intend to change and add to the flume are:
- Redesigning the inlet box to decrease the water’s turbulence as it enters the main channel of the flume
- 3D printing two gates at either end of the main channel to give me control over the depth the water will reach in the main channel
- Make it wider and longer, which will increase pressure and(hopefully) decrease the pressure of the water through the main channel