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Updated: Jun 16, 2025

Methods for Measuring the Orientation and Rotation Rate of 3D-printed Particles in Turbulence
Published on: June 24, 2016
Full Rotational Dynamics of Plastic Microfibers in Turbulence
Vlad Giurgiu1, Giuseppe Carlo Alp Caridi1, Marco De Paoli1,2
1Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer, <a href="https://ror.org/04d836q62">TU Wien</a>, 1060 Wien, Austria.
Abstract:
The motion, settling, and dispersion of microplastics in the ocean are determined by their rotational dynamics. We present experiments on elongated, large aspect ratio, and mildly curved plastic fibers slightly longer than the Kolmogorov length scale. Exploiting their uniquely identifiable three-dimensional orientation, we perform original optical Lagrangian investigations and provide a set of homogeneous data on their rotation rates around their longitudinal axis: spinning rate, and transversal axes: tumbling rates, which we explain in the context of the general features of turbulence.
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