Geometry mediated friction reduction in Taylor-Couette flow

Abstract

Periodic surface microtextures inspired by textures of shark denticles can alter the frictional response of a solid wall in flow. Using 3D-printed texture-covered rotors in a bespoke Taylor-Couette cell, the effect of the geometry of the textures and flow dynamics on the frictional torque measurements in Couette flow and Taylor vortex flow regimes are investigated. The changes in the torque measurements show direct dependence on the geometric features of the textures in both flow regimes, while the effect of the Reynolds number is only seen in the Taylor vortex flow.