laminar flow
Parallel fluid movement
Laminar flow is smooth, orderly fluid movement in which parallel layers slide past each other without mixing or turbulence.
The term appears in physics, engineering, and medicine: The airfoil was designed to maintain laminar flow across its surface.
Blood moves in laminar flow through healthy vessels.
Contrasts with turbulent flow, where fluid moves chaotically.
Fluid's flow resistance
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- incompressibleCannot be made smaller
- kinematic viscosityViscosity divided by density
- streamlinesMakes more efficient
hydrodynamics · aerodynamics · momentum · pressure drop · steady-state
Made smooth and efficient
- orderlyArranged with care
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- uniformIdentical throughout
- layeredHaving multiple levels
unidirectional · consistent · coherent · parallel · smooth · stable · quiet · efficient
Particle-free manufacturing space
- fume hoodVentilated enclosure for toxic vapors
- surgical theaterSpace for medical procedures
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
- capillariesTiniest blood vessels
HVAC · wind tunnel · coating · semiconductor fabrication · heat exchanger · oil pipeline · inkjet printing
viscosity
Fluid's flow resistance
- boundary layerViscous region near walls
- incompressibleCannot be made smaller
- kinematic viscosityViscosity divided by density
streamlines · hydrodynamics · aerodynamics · momentum · pressure drop · steady-state
streamlined
Made smooth and efficient
- orderlyArranged with care
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- uniformIdentical throughout
layered · unidirectional · consistent · coherent · parallel · smooth · stable · quiet · efficient · reversible
cleanroom
Particle-free manufacturing space
- fume hoodVentilated enclosure for toxic vapors
- surgical theaterSpace for medical procedures
- lubricationCoating to reduce friction
capillaries · HVAC · wind tunnel · coating · semiconductor fabrication · heat exchanger · oil pipeline · inkjet printing
- physical phenomenadiffusion, collision, friction, explosion, surface tension
- Airflowairflow, air circulation, air current, air vent, vent
- flowsworkflow, backflow, current, flux, circulation
- fluid movementflowing, pouring, dripping, draining, oozing
- projectile physicstrajectory, projectile motion, launch angle, velocity, gravity
- aerodynamicsairflow, lift, drag, drag coefficient, turbulence
flow, laminate, laminated, lamination, lamina, laminator, laminating, laminates, laminar