Physicists Overturn Kolmogorov’s Long-Standing Theory on Energy Transfer

New Energy Transfer Model Discovered

According to НВ — Техно: A team of researchers led by Associate Professor Lei Fan has demonstrated that energy in turbulent flows can change direction, challenging a theory established by mathematician and physicist Andrey Kolmogorov in 1941. Their findings, published on June 4 at 1:00 PM in ScienceDaily, confirm a new model for energy transfer based on experiments using a thin water layer and electromagnetic forces.

The study began with a reexamination of Kolmogorov’s long-held theory, which posited that in three-dimensional environments, energy moves from larger to smaller structures. However, Fan’s team applied the Navier-Stokes equations and tensors in laboratory experiments, uncovering a fresh perspective on turbulence dynamics.

Implications for Science and Technology

During the experiments, electromagnetic forces-including a horizontal magnetic field that generated a two-dimensional flow-were applied to the water layer. A specialized system of rods disturbed the flow, and the motion of the fluid was tracked using marker particles. The results matched computer simulations, underscoring the model’s scientific validity.

These findings carry significant implications: small physical barriers up to 10 meters in size could potentially influence ocean transport barriers spanning kilometers. Additionally, the results may advance microfluidic systems, where fluids move through channels less than 1 millimeter wide. This discovery could drive new technological innovations across various scientific and engineering fields.

The breakthrough by the researchers could fundamentally reshape our understanding of natural processes, particularly in oceans and other fluids. It also opens up possibilities for developing innovative technologies applicable in areas from ecology to medicine.

The importance of these results lies in their potential to transform approaches to modeling and controlling fluids in diverse scientific and engineering contexts.

In a related development, researchers have recently discovered a method to reverse energy transfer in turbulent flows. This breakthrough not only complements the findings of Associate Professor Lei Fan's team but also highlights the evolving understanding of turbulence dynamics, suggesting new avenues for both scientific inquiry and practical applications.