Robert Hunt

In stratified fluids, small porous particles can settle faster than large ones. In linear stratification, the settling rate is set by the solute absorption rate. New predictions and experiments in our latest work out today in @pnas.org.

www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...

New research uncovers surprising physics of ‘marine snow’ Engineering scholars at Brown University uncovered unexpected dynamics in how organic particulates sink in the ocean, a process that plays a key role in marine nutrient cycling.

Postdoctoral researcher @robert-hunt.bsky.social of @fluiddanamics.bsky.social, in collaboration with UNC-Chapel Hill, has found surprising new insights into how particles sink in stratified fluids like oceans, where the density of the fluid changes with depth. www.brown.edu/news/2025-06...

Diffusion-limited settling of highly porous particles in density-stratified fluids The vertical transport of solid material in a stratified medium is fundamental to a number of environmental applications, with implications for the carbon cycle and nutrient transport in marine ecosys...

Here, small and thin objects settle faster, based on the rate of diffusive mass exchange through their surface relative to their volume. Learn more on arxiv!

arxiv.org/abs/2409.02419

V-2686164: Diffusion-limited Settling of Highly Porous Particles in Density-stratified Fluids YouTube video by American Physical Society

Ever wondered how porous particles settle in a density stratification? Check out our entry to the Gallery of Fluid Motion!!

Also come to my talk at DFD:
R28.00005, Room: 251 F, Monday at 2:42pm.
#APSDFD #HarrisLab

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVS7...