Laura Sunberg’s research is in environmental fluid mechanics. She primarily investigates how “particles”, e.g., microplastics in coastal regions or firebrands (embers) in wildfires, are transported in environmental flows. Understanding where these particles go is important for mitigating pollution, predicting wildfire spread, analyzing ecological systems, and more. Her research group uses both physical experiments and numerical simulations to investigate these topics.
ATLS 4151 - Flow Visualization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Explores techniques for the visualization of the physics of fluid flows including seeding with dyes, particles and bubbles, and shadowgraphy and schlieren. Reviews optics and fluid physics, especially atmospheric clouds. Assignments are student-driven; students create visuals individually and with mixed teams of graduates, undergraduates, engineering majors and photography/video majors. Same as MCEN 5151, MCEN 4151, ATLS 5151, CVEN 4153, and CVEN 5153.
CVEN 3313 - Theoretical Fluid Mechanics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
Basic principles of fluid mechanic. Covers fluid properties, hydrostatics, fluid flow concepts, including continuity, energy, momentum, dimensional analysis and similitude and flow in closed conduits. Same as CHEN 3200 and MCEN 3021.
MCEN 4151 - Flow Visualization
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
Explores techniques for the visualization of the physics of fluid flows including seeding with dyes, particles and bubbles, and shadowgraphy and schlieren. Reviews optics and fluid physics, especially atmospheric clouds. Assignments are student-driven; students create visuals individually and with mixed teams of graduates, undergraduates, engineering majors and photography/video majors. Recommended prerequisite: MCEN 3021, CVEN 3313, AREN 2120, or CHEN 3320. Same as MCEN 5151, ATLS 4151, ATLS 5151, CVEN 4153, and CVEN 5153.
MCEN 5151 - Flow Visualization
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2025
Explores techniques for the visualization of the physics of fluid flows including seeding with dyes, particles and bubbles, and shadowgraphy and schlieren. Reviews optics and fluid physics, especially atmospheric clouds. Assignments are student-driven; students create visuals individually and with mixed teams of graduates, undergraduates, engineering majors and photography/video majors. Recommended prerequisite: MCEN 3021, CVEN 3313, AREN 2120, or CHEN 3320. Same as MCEN 4151, ATLS 4151, ATLS 5151, CVEN 4153, and CVEN 5153.
