When Rohit Velankar, a senior at Fox Chapel Area High School, embarked on a simple science fair project involving pouring juice into a glass, little did he know that his curiosity would lead to groundbreaking discoveries. As he listened to the rhythmic “glug, glug, glug” while pouring, he couldn’t help but wonder if a container’s elasticity played a role in the way its contents drained. Teaming up with his father, Sachin Velankar, a professor of chemical and petroleum engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Rohit delved into a comprehensive experiment that would challenge conventional wisdom.
Their joint efforts culminated in the publication of their research in the esteemed journal Physics of Fluids, marking a significant milestone in their scientific journey. Initially focusing on deli containers with rubber lids versus plastic lids, Rohit’s experiments revealed a surprising outcome – containers with greater flexibility had a faster rate of fluid drainage. The phenomenon of “glugging” was attributed to the pressure changes within the bottle as the liquid exited, shedding light on the intricate relationship between container design and fluid dynamics.
To further explore the impact of elasticity on fluid draining, the Velankars crafted their custom acrylic bottles with rubber lids using the resources available at Fox Chapel Area High School’s makerspace. By incorporating sensors near the outlet holes of the bottles to monitor pressure fluctuations during draining, they were able to replicate the conditions of different container flexibilities. Through meticulous adjustments to the hole diameter, they confirmed that flexible bottles facilitated faster drainage, albeit accompanied by larger and less frequent glugs.
The Velankars’ research serves as a testament to the power of scientific inquiry and collaborative exploration. Their findings not only provide valuable insights into the mechanics of fluid draining from containers but also raise intriguing questions about the design considerations for various types of flexible bottles. As they continue to refine their experiments and delve deeper into the nuances of container elasticity, the Velankars are poised to make further contributions to the field of fluid dynamics and materials science.
The Velankars’ journey from a simple science fair project to a published research paper exemplifies the transformative potential of curiosity and perseverance in the realm of scientific discovery. By challenging conventional assumptions and embracing experimentation, they have set a precedent for future researchers to follow in their pursuit of knowledge and innovation.
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