Manchester Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics

The Manchester Centre for Nonlinear Dynamics is comprised of researchers from the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Manchester. Research within the group is based upon the application of a combined approach of theoretical modelling, computation and detailed quantitative experimental investigations of nonlinear phenomena.

Granular jets and hydraulic jumps on an inclined planeMulti-component particle-size segregation in shallow granular avalanchesGravity-driven granular free-surface flow around a circular cylinderRaleigh-Taylor instability in a finite cylinderParticle-size segregation in dense granular avalanchesUnderlying asymmetry within particle size segregationSegregation induced finger formation in granular free-surface flows

Latest News: Work at the MCND on the curling of ribbons has been featured in a BBC News article. For more details see Anne Juel's site or our paper in PNAS.

Features

A granular flow around an obstacle, and the shape of the static deposit it leaves behind, are sensitive to details of the granular friction. In particular, frictional hysteresis is a crucial part of the physics at the interface between flowing and static grains. Read more...

A symmetry breaking pattern switching phenomenon is observed in 2D granular media under compression. When the undeformed configuration on the left is compressed, rigid cylinders (white) form pairs, resulting from the buckling of columns of elastic cylinders (purple).

Pipe turbulence.

A turbulent puff in pipe at Re = 2200.

Pattern-switching in elastic media.

A pattern switch induced by the compression of a two-dimensional elastic foam. A square array of holes is transformed into an array of ellipses with their major axes arranged in orthogonal directions.

Vibration-driven segregation of grains.

Segregation of a thin layer of a mixture of polystyrene beads and '100's and 1000's' under vibration.