Physical Review Fluids

Author(s): Kui Liu, An-Kang Gao, and Xi-Yun Lu

This study investigates a novel fluid–flexible filament system in which the filament is allowed to move laterally in a uniform flow. Once symmetry breaking occurs, the filament exhibits spontaneous and sustained translation, effectively self-propelling by extracting energy from the flow. The dynamics are governed primarily by the effective Reynolds number and effective bending stiffness. A reduced-order parameterized model is further developed to predict the filament’s equilibrium configuration and curvature.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064102] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Yi Cai, Jiachen Zhao, Runze Sun, Zhongzheng Wang, Emilie Sauret, and Yixing Gou

Electric field–driven droplet generation provides an active strategy for overcoming the limited controllability of conventional passive microfluidic methods; however, the mechanisms governing mode transitions under different combinations of electrical properties remain unclear. Here, we develop a coupled lattice Boltzmann–finite difference numerical framework to investigate electrohydrodynamic droplet formation in T-shaped microchannels under varying electric field strengths, permittivity ratios and conductivity ratios. We identify four droplet generation modes and reveal their transition mechanisms by analyzing interfacial charge distributions and electric-field forces.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064202] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Shakyajit Paik, Somnath Bhattacharyya, and Subrata Majhi

This study investigates the diffusiophoresis of charged rigid colloids in yield-stress viscoplastic fluids using fully coupled electrokinetic simulations supplemented by thin-double-layer analysis, and demonstrates new avenues for manipulating particles in complex viscoplastic media. The results show that shear-thinning rheology enhances particle velocity significantly, whereas yield stress suppresses particle mobility and can even induce stalling. In shear-thinning fluids, a reversal of diffusiophoretic motion is observed at lower values of the flow consistency index, which is suppressed when diffusion-dominated transport is amplified for multivalent electrolytes or at higher yield stresses.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064203] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): L. Sundberg, F. Candelier, N. Fintzi, G. Voth, J. L. Pierson, K. Gustavsson, and B. Mehlig

Particle-shape symmetry determines the form of inertial hydrodynamic forces and torques acting on particles settling in a quiescent fluid. Exploiting these symmetries provides a systematic way of analyzing how particle shape influences unsteady settling dynamics, by classifying particles according to their shape-symmetry groups. Our results help to understand the connection between particle geometry and the transient dynamics observed in settling experiments with particles of different shapes.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064305] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Fanshuo Ma, Stéphanie Deboeuf, Pierre-Yves Lagrée, and Lydie Staron

We propose a continuum two-dimensional model for cohesive granular flows down inclines. Using the Contact Dynamics method, we explore the parameter space of inclination angle and adhesion strength for which steady uniform flows develop. We then compare free-surface velocity and plug thickness with the model. We find that, at moderate inertial numbers I, the flow rheology can be described by a linear μ(I) friction law supplemented by a macroscopic cohesive stress. The independence of friction and adhesion is confirmed within the investigated parameter range, and the macroscopic cohesive stress is found to scale linearly with local contact adhesion, in agreement with Rumpf’s prediction.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064306] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Brandon Yeung and Oliver T. Schmidt

We outline a workflow for examining statistically transient fluid flows, which eludes most standard modal analysis techniques. As a challenging example, we investigate the transient dynamics of a turbulent supersonic twin-rectangular jet flow. Forcing-induced perturbations are extracted using synchronized large-eddy simulations (LES) of the natural and forced jets, and a database is collected that captures an ensemble of realizations of these perturbations. From this ensemble, we study the time-varying mean flow deformation and perform space–time proper orthogonal decompositions.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064614] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Fanrong Xue, Shufan Zou, Ming Zhao, and Wei Liu

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 069902] Published Mon Jun 22, 2026

Author(s): Tasawar Iqbal, Catherine Penington, Christian Thomas, and Lyndon Koens

Choanoflagellates, key marine microscopic filter feeders, display large diversity in their filter geometry. Comparing a simplified infinite cylindrical model for the filter with biological, we find that many choanoflagellate species exist near a ridge in the effective flux into the filter but away from a similar ridge in the power. This contrasts with the existing hypothesis that the pressure drop is roughly constant over different species.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063102] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Christiana Mavroyiakoumou, Jiajie Wu, and Leif Ristroph

Collective locomotion of swimming and flying animals is fascinating in terms of individual-level fluid mechanics and group-level structure and dynamics. Here we bridge and relate these scales through a formation-flight model that views the collective as a material whose properties arise from flow-mediated interactions among its members. Our model shows that the group behaves as a soft “crystal” with regularly spaced member “atoms” whose positioning is susceptible to deformations and dynamical instabilities. Other emergent properties relevant to biological collectives include group cohesion, sensitive detection of and response to perturbations, and information transfer through traveling waves.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063103] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Yunfan Huang and Moran Wang

Electrokinetic transport at liquid-liquid interfaces offers new routes for active microfluidic control, but practical use on slippery liquid-infused surfaces (SLIS) remains limited. Using direct numerical simulations, this work reveals two key regulation mechanisms, includign electroosmotic velocity reversal driven by groove oil depletion and a two-sided streaming potential effect from ion partition. These findings provide design principles for enhancing liquid pumping, energy conversion, and lab-on-a-chip devices in real-world multiphase systems.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063702] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Rémi Bousquet, Yannick Ponty, Victor Botez, Nicolas Plihon, and Caroline Nore

The von Kármán sodium experiment provided the first laboratory observation of magnetic field reversals reminiscent of those occurring in planetary dynamos. Using realistic numerical simulations robust across two independent solvers, we identify the mechanism underlying these reversals. The dynamics result from the coupling of dipolar and quadrupolar magnetic modes through two large-scale velocity modes, one of which breaks the flow symmetry. During a reversal, the magnetic field first localizes near one impeller, then evolves through a transient quadrupolar state before localizing near the opposite impeller and ultimately recovering as a dipole of reversed polarity.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063703] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Michael Bestehorn and Sakir Amiroudine

We study a fluid close to its critical point where the liquid-vapor phase boundary ends and the distinction between gas and liquid disappears. The compressible Navier-Stokes-Korteweg equations are solved with a van der Waals equation of state. Density-stratified basic states due to gravity are computed numerically. Numerical simulations confirm the propagation of acoustic waves in the supercritical case above the critical point. For the subcritical case we find spinodal decomposition for a randomly distributed initial density. Additionally, we consider the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in detail, both by a linear stability analysis and by direct numerical simulations.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064004] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Manish Kumar Mathur and Murali R. Cholemari

This study follows the interplay between velocity structures and concentration structures to explain the pattern of pollution behind a vehicle. Measurements of concentration, along with PIV measurements, show the effects of vehicle and wake topologies on pollutant dispersion.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064503] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Rahul Deshpande, Abdelrahman Hassanein, and Woutijn J. Baars

The space-time variations of wall-pressure fluctuations (p_w) provide key insights into the dynamics of turbulent boundary layers, yet accurate measurements of their large-scale frequency-wavenumber spectrum remain challenging at high friction Reynolds numbers (Re). Using a bespoke 63-microphone array designed to resolve the large-scale p_w field with minimal aliasing errors, we report novel measurements spanning across 1400 < Re < 5200. The results reveal that p_w scaled on the boundary-layer thickness is most strongly correlated with turbulence in the logarithmic region, identifying it as the dominant source of large-scale scale p_w relevant to turbulence sensing, modeling, and control.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064612] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Hiromichi Kobayashi and Toshiyuki Gotoh

Cloud supersaturation is modeled as a passive scalar with a phase-relaxation time under a uniform vertical gradient. Large eddy simulations with grid points of 10243 confirm the theoretical prediction that one −5/3 spectrum by the phase relaxation and another by the turbulence cascade coexist at low and high wavenumbers in the inertial range, respectively. As the phase relaxation time becomes shorter the transition wavenumber between the two ranges shifts to higher wavenumbers, consistent with theory. Probability density function tails of the supersaturation at small-scales become longer than that of the velocity, stronger intermittency, as the phase relaxation time becomes longer.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064613] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Tymoteusz Miara, Draga Pihler-Puzović, Matthias Heil, and Anne Juel

We characterize the three-dimensional shape of an elastic, transparent sheet as it translates, rotates, and deforms - a key experimental challenge in the study of particle-laden flows – with a high-resolution, single-camera method. We scan the object nonintrusively to capture its illuminated surface and couple the space-time representation of its surface with a neural autoencoder to reconstruct the 3D shape of the object. This method enables the study of motion and deformation of objects with a wide range of surface geometries.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064901] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Hiroshi Otomo and Alexander J. Wagner

Lattice Boltzmann models for nonideal fluids rely on mesoscopic force formulations whose connection to microscopic physics remains unclear. By constructing lattice Boltzmann distribution functions directly from molecular dynamics simulations, this work provides a framework for assessing force models against microscopic particle behavior. The analysis shows that a balanced combination of pseudopotential and free-energy formulations best reproduces the moments of the molecularly derived distribution functions, establishing a direct link between microscopic dynamics and mesoscopic fluid modeling.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, L062901] Published Thu Jun 18, 2026

Author(s): Zengshuang Chen, Xueguang Meng, Pengyuan Yang, and Gang Chen

Most insects generate forward thrust by tilting the stroke plane or adjusting the wing angle of attack. This study reveals that mosquitoes adopt a fundamentally different strategy: while maintaining a nearly horizontal stroke plane, they achieve forward flight through highly asymmetric wing pitching between downstroke and upstroke. Two novel thrust mechanisms are identified under this motion pattern—asymmetric pitch-down acceleration and asymmetric pitch-up amplitude. These findings deepen our understanding of insect flight diversity and offer new design principles for micro flapping-wing vehicles.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063101] Published Wed Jun 17, 2026

Author(s): Israel Gabay, Omer Luria, Edward Balaban, Amir D. Gat, and Moran Bercovici

Large-aperture telescopes are currently limited by launch vehicle constraints. The Fluidic Telescope (FLUTE) concept seeks to overcome this by using liquid mirrors which, in microgravity, naturally relax into a precise spherical shape. However, necessary telescope maneuvers subject the liquid to body forces that perturb this interface. This study provides an experimentally validated analytical model for such liquid dynamics by solving for the non-self-adjoint problem of a thin liquid film pinned in a circular domain. Using the model to simulate decades of operation, we show that while edge disturbances build up, the inner 80% of the aperture remains optically precise for over 20 years.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 064003] Published Tue Jun 16, 2026

Author(s): Jugal Shah, Max Huisman, Devendra Deshmukh, Dag Hanstorp, and Javier Tello Marmolejo

The authors find that micrometric droplets heated up by strong irradiation exhibit a reversal of the classical diffusive evaporation: the speed at which they shrink slows down instead of speeding up. Using laser trapping, they measure tiny levitating droplets and see an initial deceleration in the shrinking decelerate followed by a return to the classical evaporation behavior below ~4 μm. This behavior can be explained with an scaling argument based on volumetric heating. The results show a new facet of irradiative evaporation of aerosols and fuel droplets in combustion systems where droplets can be strongly irradiated by flames or sunshine.

[Phys. Rev. Fluids 11, 063603] Published Mon Jun 15, 2026