Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex Flow (LTCF)

The Laboratory for Turbulence and Complex Flow (LTCF) was originally established in the Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. LTCF is now a part of the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois under the direction of Prof. Kenneth T. Christensen and its members pursue fundamental experimental research in a variety of areas of fluid mechanics, including turbulent flows, transport phenomena at the microscale and flows of geophysical significance. Our present interests include the structure of wall-bounded turbulent flows, the impact of highly-irregular roughness on turbulent boundary layers, transition to turbulence at the microscale, the fluid mechanics of geological carbon dioxide sequestration, flow over barchan dunes, turbulent boundary layers overlying porous and rough walls, and the development of novel flow facilities and diagnostics that facilitate the study of these complex flow systems. Our research in funded by the National Science Foundation, various agencies in DOD as well as industry and involves collaboration with a diverse set of researchers from aerospace engineering, civil and environmental engineering, materials science, geology and oceanography not only at Illinois but also from many institutions across the world.

Director

• Leonardo P. Chamorro

For more information, please visit the lab's full web site.