Particle Image Velocimetry Approach Research Articles

EFFECTS OF REFRACTIVE INDEX AND ASPECT RATIO ON THE PARTICLE IMAGES IN A LEVITATED DROPLET

A technique using droplets suspended by ultrasound has attracted attention as one of the containerless processing methods. While this can avoid contamination from the container, it is known that ultrasonic levitation creates flow fields inside and outside the droplet. For more precise droplet control, it is desirable to elucidate the internal flow of the droplet, and measurements of the internal flow have been performed using the particle image velocimetry (PIV). The aim of this study is to elucidate the internal flow field behavior by solving optical problems and improving the accuracy of velocity field measurements in levitated droplets. The fluid that is to be investigated is scattered with small tracer particles and illuminated by a laser to capture the flow on a created laser sheet. The curvature distortion is successfully visualized using the PIV approach toward distortion correction using calibration methods. The curvature distortion illustration was performed based on the refractive index and aspect ratio of the simulated droplet in acrylic materials. The fluid flow, affected by droplet curvature and refractive index, has been visualized for both levitated and simulated droplets. The experimental results showed that the droplet curvature can be distorted in two types such as radial and tangential distortions and increase as the refractive index and aspect ratio increases.

Application of PIV for Virtual Mass Coefficient Measurement

The particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is employed for the measurement of the virtual mass of a submerged object, an important parameter in the two-fluid model, particularly so for reactor thermal-hydraulic and safety analyses. Instead of carrying out the measurement through traditional transient processes that mix steady-state drag, virtual mass force, and Basset force, a new PIV approach is developed for steady-state flows through the integration of the fluid kinetic energy around the object. The Basset force, an inseparable transient force in viscous flows, is eliminated in the new approach, making virtual mass quantification possible. This new method has been applied to the virtual mass measurement of a solid cylinder, and although the measurement uncertainty from the flow’s random fluctuations is substantial, the results are very encouraging. The results suggest that the existence of drag force in viscous flow affects the virtual mass, as the flow field is different from the ideal potential flow. When the measurement method was applied to the quantification of air bubbles, no reliable data were obtained due to complications from bubble lateral motions and deformation. Further study is needed for the PIV method to be employed for bubble virtual mass force measurements under steady-state flow conditions.

In Vivo Laser-Induced Vasoactive Microenvironmental Setting via a Stimuli-Responsive Microstructured Depot.

A stimuli-responsive polymeric three-dimensional microstructured film (PTMF) is a 3D structure with an array of sealed chambers on its external surface. In this work, we demonstrate the use of PTMF as a laser-triggered stimulus-response system for local in vivo targeted blood vessels stimulation by vasoactive substances. The native vascular networks of the mouse mesentery were used as model tissues. Epinephrine and KCl were used as vasoactive agents that were sealed into individual chambers upon precipitation in the amount of pictograms. We demonstrated the method for non-damaged one-by-one chamber activation using a focused 532 nm laser light passed through biological tissues. To avoid laser-induced photothermal damage to biological tissues, the PTMF was functionalized with Nile Red dye, which effectively absorbs laser light. Chemically stimulated blood vessel fluctuations were analyzed using digital image processing methods. Hemodynamics changes were measured and visualized using the particle image velocimetry approach.

Side Fins Performance in Biomimetic Unmanned Underwater Vehicle

This paper presents the experimental research conducted for the Biomimetic Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (BUUV). The study’s major goal is to create a single, flexible side fin with adequate proportions and stiffness for an energy-efficient propulsion system. The experiments were carried out in a laboratory water tunnel equipped with a sensor for direct thrust measurement for various fin dimensions. Further, the particle image velocimetry (PIV) approach was used for a more in-depth examination of fluid–structure interaction (FSI) phenomena. The given experiments indicate the region of superior propulsion system performance and explain the main aspects that have influenced thrust generation using image processing and the PIV approach.

Analysis Of PIV Images Of Transonic Buffet Flow By Recurrent Deep Learning Based Optical Flow Prediction

In the past few years, several algorithms have been proposed that leverage deep learning techniques within the data analysis workflow of particle-image velocimetry (PIV) experiments. This emerging body of work has shown that deep learning has the potential to match or outperform state-of-the-art classical algorithms in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and spatial resolution. Due to the significant relevance of PIV experiments in the broader fluid mechanics community, progress in PIV processing approaches based on state-of-the-art machine learning tools has a major impact across a range of problems in applied physics and engineering where velocity components of flow fields need to be determined. In contrast to existing methods, these approaches are general, near-automated and yield per-pixel flow estimates. Primary work on deep learning for PIV is promising, but important questions concerning the application to challenging engineering problems remain open and more scientific analyses are necessary to substantiate the general confidence amongst practitioners in such neural network based tools. This motivates us to employ a novel deep learning based PIV approach called RAFT-PIV to a challenging application of a recent research subject. That is, we use our neural optical flow approach to evaluate Background-Oriented Schlieren (BOS) and PIV images obtained by measurements of the transonic flow around a supercritical DRA-2303 profile and demonstrate that it can be used as a direct one-to-one replacement for standard cross-correlation based counterparts.

Spatio-temporal analysis of collective migration in vivo by particle image velocimetry

Collective cell migration drives the formation of complex organ systems as well as certain tumour invasions and wound healing processes. A characteristic feature of many migrating collectives is tissue-scale polarity, whereby ‘leader’ cells at the tissue edge guide ‘followers’ cells that become assembled into polarized epithelial tissues. In this study, we employed particle image velocimetry (PIV) as a tool to quantitate local dynamics underlying the migration of the posterior lateral line primordium (pLLP) in zebrafish at a short time scale. Epithelial cadherin-EGFP was the fluorescent tracer in time-lapse images for PIV analysis. At the tissue level, global speed and directionality of the primordium were extracted from spatially averaged velocity fields. Interestingly, fluctuating velocity patterns evolve at the mesoscale level, which distinguishes the pseudo-mesenchymal leading front from the epithelialized trailing edge, and superimpose to the global deceleration of the whole primordium during the separation of a protoneuromast. Local velocity fields obtained by PIV proved sensitive to estimate the migration speed and directionality of the pLLP in zebrafish, predicting protoneuromast separation at short time scales. Finally, the PIV approach may be suitable for analysing the dynamics of other in vivo models of collective migration.

On the challenges of precise velocity measurements in vertical convective wall jets

For the transition of our energy supply towards a higher share of renewables, thermal energy storage (TES) systems are, besides electric batteries and chemical energy storage systems, one promising solution to overcome the volatile nature of renewable energy sources. For the most efficient operation, the liquid storage material in the tank should be stratified by its temperature-dependent density. As a result, the cold fluid remains at the bottom, and the heated fluid rises to the top (Alva et al. (2018)). Typically steel tanks are used for TES, and thus, the wall material has a thermal diffusivity that is one to two orders of magnitudehigher than that of the storage fluid. Consequently, the tank’s sidewalls work as a thermal bridge between the stratified layers. In recent studies, the authors have shown that the resulting heat flux induces two counterdirected, convective wall jets near the sidewalls of the tank, which increase mixing of the stratification and thus lowers the exergy content and the storage efficiency (Otto et al. (2019, 2020)). Using a model experiment of a TES, the entire vertical extent of the detected wall jets is investigated. Hence, the typical flow structures of vertical, natural convection under the influence of non-zero temperature gradients in the ambient fluid can be analyzed, which can help to improve storage tanks in the future. The velocity in the region of the wall jets is measured via 2d particle-image velocimetry (PIV) in a rectangular model experiment of 750mm height on a base area of 375mm×375mm made from polycarbonate. The jets evolve on the surface of an aluminum plate simulating the storage tank’s sidewall. The measuring system consists of four cameras with a resolution of 2160×2560 pixels combined with objective lenses with 100mm focal length capturing the raw images in a plane perpendicular to the aluminum wall. A Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength of 532nm illuminates the measuring plane. Simultaneously using up to four cameras adjacent to each other and stitching their resulting vector fields, the vertical extent of the field of view increases from 38mm up to 140mm. Despite this, the field of view is still much smaller than the vertical extent of the model experiment, so that seven consecutive runs are performed to cover the entire height. Disturbing reflections of the laser light sheet on the aluminum wall are eliminated using optical filters for the cameras that are opaque for the green laser light in combination with fluorescently (Rhodamine B) dyed PMMA tracer particles with a diameter between 1–20μm. The particles emit light at a wavelength of 610nm (orange light) and can therefore be detected through the cameras’ filters. During four separate measuring periods, where each lasts for two minutes, double frame images are captured with a time difference of 19.981 ms (maximum possible value) at a measuring frequency of 7 Hz. Figure 1 shows a schematic of the camera setup next to the model experiment and the measurement and evaluation procedure to finally receive one time-averaged velocity field per measuring period of the full height of the experiment. The raw data evaluation process starts with calculating the vector fields of all cameras used at a certain measuring position and stitching them to one flow field of this position. Since the wall jets’ horizontal extents are with 2–7mm relatively small and they show high velocity gradients, the raw images are evaluated in both single-frame and double-frame mode. With a velocity threshold that corresponds to a pixel displacement of 1/4 of the interrogation window size and the time difference of the single-frames, the resulting vector fields are masked and merged into one final vector field. This vector field consists of high velocities evaluated in double-frame mode and low velocities evaluated in single-frame mode (see Figure 2) thus minimizing the relative error. The algorithm used in this work is similar to the multi-frame PIV approach introduced by Hain and K¨ahler (2007). Figure 3 shows the time-averaged results of the first measuring period for each of the seven measuring positions in height.

Low-Cost Automatic Slope Monitoring Using Vector Tracking Analyses on Live-Streamed Time-Lapse Imagery

Identifying precursor events that allow the timely forecasting of landslides, thereby enabling risk reduction, is inherently difficult. Here we present a novel, low cost, flow visualization technique using time-lapsed imagery (TLI) that allows real time analysis of slope movement. This approach is applied to the Rest and Be Thankful slope, Argyle, Scotland, where past debris flows have blocked the A83 or forced preemptive closure. TLI of the Rest and Be Thankful are taken from a fixed station, 28 mm lens, time lapse camera every 15 min. Imagery is filtered to counter the effects of misalignment from wind induced vibration of the camera, asymmetric lighting, and fog. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) algorithms are then run to produce slope movement velocity vectors. PIV generated vectors are automatically post-processed to separate vectors generated by slope movement from false positives generated by harsh environmental conditions. Results for images over a 20-day period indicated precursor slope movement initiated by a rainfall event, a period of quiescence for 10 days, followed by a large landslide failure during proceeding rainfall where over 3000 tons of sediment reached the road. Results suggest low cost, live streamed TLI and this novel PIV approach correctly detect and, importantly, report precursor slope movement, allowing early warning, effective management and landslide impact mitigation. Future applications of this technique will allow the development of an effective decision-making tool for asset management of the A83, reducing the risk to life of motorists. The technique can also be applied to other critical infrastructure sites, allowing hazard risk reduction.

Airborne Feature Matching Velocimetry for surface flow measurements in rivers

A new airborne river surface flow measurement technique is presented, called Airborne Feature Matching Velocimetry (AFMV). It uses matchings of characteristic image features for orthorectification and velocimetry. Riparian matching points with an arbitrarily chosen base image serve to find individual projective transformation matrices to stabilize airborne video recordings. Transformed matching points’ distances of feature shifts between subsequent video frames lead to surface velocity vectors. To test this approach, a riverine moving water surface was recorded by an airborne video camera. Results are compared to (i) image frames rectified by 3D photogrammetry and (ii) related velocimetry results obtained by Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Generally, both time averaged and instantaneous surface velocities obtained by AFMV are shown to be of almost equal quality to the PIV approach. AFMV gives slightly less spatially-dense results in poorly textured areas, but clearly outperforms the 3D photogrammetry reference method in relation to computational power. Thus, the new method bears the potential to provide almost real-time instantaneous airborne river surface flow measurements.

PARTICLE IMAGE VELOCIMETRY FOR ESTIMATING THE YOUNG’S MODULUS OF WOOD SPECIMENS

ABSTRACT Proposing technological innovations in the investigation of the structure and behaviour of wood is important to optimize its use. The assimilation of methods diffused in other areas, such as particle image velocimetry (PIV), can allow a rich range of information for different aspects. The aim of this study was to estimate the Young’s modulus using the PIV technique, independently of the wood density. The Young modulus value was obtained by universal testing machine, transversal vibration and PIV technique. Cedrela spp. and Eucalyptus cloeziana wood specimens were analyzed and their Young modulus were compared and correlated. The PIV technique presented mean Young’s modulus values statistically equal to those of the universal testing machine. The standard error of prediction from PIV approach was 0.46 and 0.97 GPa for Young’s modulus estimates for Cedrela spp. and Eucalyptus cloeziana wood, respectively.

Challenges and improvements in applying a particle image velocimetry (PIV) approach to granular flows

The particle image velocimetry (PIV) is a well-established non-invasive optical technique for measuring the velocity field in fluids. Recently, the PIV approach has been extended to granular flows, where the medium under investigation is composed of a discrete number of grains that are typically non-transparent and of super-millimetric size. Granular PIV (g-PIV) still represents a non-standard application, as some accuracy concerns arise. In particular, since granular flows can be highly sheared, the choice of appropriate interrogation windows for the PIV analysis is not trivial. As well, owing to the spatially-averaged nature of the PIV approach, the estimation of second-order statistics remains a very challenging task. Here, we report a laboratory investigation on dry granular flows composed of glass spheres in a rotating drum. The velocity measurements at the sidewall are obtained by using a window deformation multi-pass PIV approach, where the open-source code PIVlab has been specifically used. Different combinations of the number of PIV passes and of interrogation windows are investigated. A slightly modified version of PIVlab allowed us to carry out g-PIV calculations with an arbitrary number of passes (i.e. greater than 4). Comparisons among different analyses helped us to identify reliable settings for g-PIV applications.

Motion sensing superpixels (MOSES) is a systematic computational framework to quantify and discover cellular motion phenotypes.

Correct cell/cell interactions and motion dynamics are fundamental in tissue homeostasis, and defects in these cellular processes cause diseases. Therefore, there is strong interest in identifying factors, including drug candidates that affect cell/cell interactions and motion dynamics. However, existing quantitative tools for systematically interrogating complex motion phenotypes in timelapse datasets are limited. We present Motion Sensing Superpixels (MOSES), a computational framework that measures and characterises biological motion with a unique superpixel 'mesh' formulation. Using published datasets, MOSES demonstrates single-cell tracking capability and more advanced population quantification than Particle Image Velocimetry approaches. From > 190 co-culture videos, MOSES motion-mapped the interactions between human esophageal squamous epithelial and columnar cells mimicking the esophageal squamous-columnar junction, a site where Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma often arise clinically. MOSES is a powerful tool that will facilitate unbiased, systematic analysis of cellular dynamics from high-content time-lapse imaging screens with little prior knowledge and few assumptions.

Measuring the velocity fields of granular flows – Employment of a multi-pass two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (2D-PIV) approach

Measuring velocity fields plays a crucial role in investigating the dynamics of granular flows, which can improve the modeling of hazardous geophysical flows (e.g. avalanches and debris flows) and the control of powder flows in industrial applications. Non-invasive optical methods are invaluable tools for estimating this physical quantity at the laboratory scale. Despite the recent improvements of particle image velocimetry (PIV) algorithms, the employment of PIV to granular flows is still a non-trivial application, where there are several specific aspects to be carefully addressed. Here, we address the main challenges of granular PIV applications and systematically test the open-source window deformation multi-pass code, PIVlab [Thielicke and Stamhuis, J. Open Res. Soft., 2014], for dry granular flows in rotating drum and chute flow experiments. Three granular media (glass spheres, Ottawa sand and acetalic resin beads) with different optical properties are used as a broad test bench for validating the PIV approach. As well, comparisons between the estimations by PIVlab and those obtained by the commercial code, IDT ProVision-XS, are reported, where the advantages of the multi-pass approach are highlighted. This extensive experimental investigation allowed the evaluation of the accuracy of PIVlab in granular flow applications and also helped to assess the reliability of measurements of second-order statistics, such as the granular temperature. Finally, a guideline for setting a reliable PIV arrangement is suggested.

Comparison of intracranial aneurysm flow quantification techniques: standard PIV vs stereoscopic PIV vs tomographic PIV vs phase-contrast MRI vs CFD

Image-based hemodynamic simulations to assess the rupture risk or improve the treatment planning of intracranial aneurysms have become popular recently. However, due to strong modeling assumptions and limitations, the acceptance...

Impact of the downstream cylinder displacement speed on the hysteresis limits in a flow around two rectangular objects in tandem – PIV study of the process

This paper is about experimental study of air flow around two identical square cylinders arranged in tandem with the use of particle image velocimetry approach. Impact of progressive increase and progressive decrease in the spacing between centres of the cylinders (ranging from 2 to 9 widths of the cylinder) on a hysteresis limit were investigated. The hysteresis is associated with two discontinuous jumps in the flow patterns and occurs when the spacing between cylinders varies in two ways. Particular attention was devoted to the study of the downstream cylinder displacement velocity (ranging from 0.01 to 0.09 m/s) on the hysteresis range for different free-stream Reynolds numbers (Re = 4100–32940). The changes in the flow pattern were determined based on the time histories of velocity fluctuations analysed independently in the most characteristic regions of the measuring section. The impact of the downstream cylinder velocity and the Reynolds number on the lower and the upper spacing limits of the hysteresis was presented and discussed.

Flow measurement around a cylindrical body by attaching flexible plate: A PIV approach

In this study, flow structures and downstream wake behind a flexible splitter plate attached to a circular cylinder have been qualitatively and quantitatively investigated at three different Reynolds numbers of 2500, 5000 and 7500. The Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique was implemented to examine the flow field downstream of the bluff body in deep water. Laser sheet illuminated the region 5 mm below the top of the cylinder. All results were compared with a bare cylinder case to analyze differences in flow characteristics. Time-averaged velocity vector field <V>, vorticity contours<ω>, turbulent kinetic energy, TKE, rms of streamwise, urms, transverse, vrms velocity components were acquired and also frequency, f of vortex shedding was carried out using single point spectral analysis from PIV data to indicate flow structures. It was observed that the flexible splitter plate had a considerable effect on vortex shedding and fluctuations were prominently weakened by the use of control material.

Investigation of the flow structure in thin polymer films using 3D µPTV enhanced by GPU

To understand the effects of inhomogeneous drying on the quality of polymer coatings, an experimental setup to resolve the occurring flow field throughout the drying film has been developed. Deconvolution microscopy is used to analyze the flow field in 3D and time. Since the dimension of the spatial component in the direction of the line-of-sight is limited compared to the lateral components, a multi-focal approach is used. Here, the beam of light is equally distributed on up to five cameras using cubic beam splitters. Adding a meniscus lens between each pair of camera and beam splitter and setting different distances between each camera and its meniscus lens creates multi-focality and allows one to increase the depth of the observed volume. Resolving the spatial component in the line-of-sight direction is based on analyzing the point spread function. The analysis of the PSF is computational expensive and introduces a high complexity compared to traditional particle image velocimetry approaches. A new algorithm tailored to the parallel computing architecture of recent graphics processing units has been developed. The algorithm is able to process typical images in less than a second and has further potential to realize online analysis in the future. As a prove of principle, the flow fields occurring in thin polymer solutions drying at ambient conditions and at boundary conditions that force inhomogeneous drying are presented.

On the applicability of numerical image mapping for PIV image analysis near curved interfaces

This paper scrutinises the general suitability of image mapping for particle image velocimetry (PIV) applications. Image mapping can improve PIV measurement accuracy by eliminating overlap between the PIV interrogation windows and an interface, as illustrated by some examples in the literature. Image mapping transforms the PIV images using a curvilinear interface-fitted mesh prior to performing the PIV cross correlation. However, degrading effects due to particle image deformation and the Jacobian transformation inherent in the mapping along curvilinear grid lines have never been deeply investigated. Here, the implementation of image mapping from mesh generation to image resampling is presented in detail, and related error sources are analysed. Systematic comparison with standard PIV approaches shows that image mapping is effective only in a very limited set of flow conditions and geometries, and depends strongly on a priori knowledge of the boundary shape and streamlines. In particular, with strongly curved geometries or streamlines that are not parallel to the interface, the image-mapping approach is easily outperformed by more traditional image analysis methodologies invoking suitable spatial relocation of the obtained displacement vector.

Aeroacoustic sound generation during phonation in a synthetic larynx model

The fluid flow within the human larynx plays an essential role in the fluid-structure-acoustic interaction during voice production. This study addresses the supraglottal flow field downstream of aerodynamically driven, synthetic vocal folds based on the M5 model. The larynx replica is designed to provide full optical access to the flow region. Two different approaches based on Particle-Image-Velocimetry (PIV) were applied for measuring the flow: Phase-averaged (PA) and High-speed (HS) PIV. Beside a comparison of the supraglottal flow field, the acoustic sources were calculated based on both PIV approaches. Furthermore, the simulated far-field sound based on the HS-PIV data is compared to experimental results. Within both PIV approaches, the typical asymmetric jet flow was detected. However, transient flow field characteristics as high vorticity and maximal velocities peaks could only be observed in HS-PIV data. A strong aeroacoustic source was found immediately downstream of the glottis for both PIV approaches. However, the sources in the jet region could only be observed in the HS-PIV data owing to the averaging procedure for PA-PIV. The comparison between simulated and measured sound spectra revealed good agreement. In contrast, subharmonic tones could not be detected hinting to an additional non-aeroacoustic mechanism of sound generation.

Coherent structures in transitional pipe flow

Transition to turbulence in pipe flow is investigated experimentally using a temporally resolved dual-plane particle image velocimetry approach, at a Reynolds number of 3440. The flow is analyzed using proper orthogonal decomposition and it is shown that the flow can be divided into two regions: a pseudolaminar region governed by the presence of azimuthally steady traveling waves, and turbulent slugs. The evolution of the structures within the slugs is identified by using the temporally resolved data along with the dual-plane velocity field. These structures are shown to be remarkably similar to the large-scale motions found in fully turbulent flows, with a streamwise and spatiotemporal extent about four pipe radii. The transition between structures is characterized by the detachment and decay of an old structure and the initiation of a new structure at the wall