Fluid Mechanics Comes to Life in 3D

Fluid mechanics is tough to grasp—especially when you can’t see the air or water in motion. But now, using immersive mixed reality, students and faculty can see, touch, and interact with complex 3D airflow patterns around models like airfoils. This cutting-edge tech transforms invisible dynamics into hands-on experiences, helping students visualize, explore, and understand fluid flow like never before.

“Fluid Mechanics is probably the most difficult subject in our entire curriculum,” said Jun Chen  , professor of mechanical engineering, who has taught the course for many years. “Most fluids like air or water are invisible, which make it very difficult to visualize—especially if we have complex three-dimensional or dynamic phenomena.”