NSF: Fluid Dynamics [PD 15-1443]

The National Science Foundation's Fluid Dynamics program supports fundamental research and education on mechanisms and phenomena governing fluid flow.
Date deadline

The Fluid Dynamics program supports fundamental engineering research on mechanisms and phenomena governing fluid flow from the molecular to the macroscopic scale.  Proposed research should contribute to basic understanding of fluid flow phenomena, thus enabling the better design, predictability, efficiency, and control of systems that involve fluids.  Areas of emphasis are proposals that address the behavior of new fluid materials and innovative uses of fluids in manufacturing, energy and the environment, materials development, biotechnology, nanotechnology, sensor development, clinical diagnostics and drug delivery. While the research should focus on fundamentals, a clear connection to potential applications with significant societal/technological impact should be outlined.

Major areas of interest include:

  • Bio-inspired Fluid Mechanics and Bio-flows: biomimetics; intracellular flows; fluid-structure interactions; hemodynamics; swimmers; insect flight; fins; biological flow processes; flows in biomedical devices; and drug delivery.
  • Flow of Complex Fluids: non-Newtonian fluid mechanics; viscoelasticity; flow of polymer solutions and melts; gelation; flow-induced structuring; DNA dynamics; and new fluid materials.
  • Micro- and Nano-fluidics: micro-and nano-scale flow phenomena; biomedical microdevices; effects of nano-inclusions on rheological properties; molecular dynamics simulations; and optofluidics.
  • Turbulence and Transition: theory; high Reynolds number experiments; large eddy simulation; direct numerical simulation; transition to turbulence; 3-D boundary layers; multi-phase turbulent flows; flow control and drag reduction.
  • Interfacial Interactions and Instabilities: hydrodynamic stability; gas-liquid interfaces; splashing; jetting; droplet interactions; atomization; and wetting. 
  • Instrumentation and Flow Diagnostics: Instrument development; MEMS; shear stress sensors; novel flow imaging; and velocimetry.

Proposals on wind and ocean energy harvesting and on environmental flows could be submitted to the program when the proposed research is focused on fundamental fluid dynamics phenomena or on the development of novel computational fluid dynamics approaches, rather than applications or devices and materials.

 

Due Dates

Full Proposal Window:  October 1, 2016 - October 20, 2016

October 1 - October 20, Annually Thereafter

 

For more information and to apply, go to http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13365