Theory application

In still air, a buoyant flow of some tens of liters per second (L/s) rises from the body: the "human thermal plume". At a walking speed beyond about 0.2 m/s the plume gives way to the "human aerodynamic wake", as illustrated in Figure 2. Chemical traces originating as passive scalars on the body are found in these flows and can be sampled. Patterns of secreted proteins in the human plume or wake can be indicators of the early stages of a CBR(Chemical, biological, radiological) attack.

One of the things we had to do as assignment for my module, Fluid Mechanics is to read through several journals and from these, pick out the article that most interests you and write about it.

I picked the one that caught my eye immediately - Fluid mechanics and Homeland Security from the Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics.

It is an oddly interesting read, equations and diagrams not withstanding. Perhaps the most interesting thing that occurs to you while reading the 26 page paper is how fluid mechanics can possibly help prevent the meaningless loss of lives. Within these pages are real life examples of this fact, not just mere equations. To see concepts taught in the classroom scenario being translated in everyday life to meet the threat of terrorism gives meaning to what we are studying . It shows us that fluid mechanics isn't all just about theory.

And I believe that's what studying in school is all about isn't it? =)