ICTS

Turbulence is an important problem of science and engineering. The flow arising from Navier-Stokes equations at large Reynolds number is always turbulent. Physicists, mathematicians, and engineers have been engaged in modelling turbulence for quite some time, but the problem is unfinished despite considerable progress. Buoyed by the success of Quantum Field Theory (QFT), which is one of the most successful theories in high energy and condensed matter physics, many researchers have applied it to model turbulence. In addition, turbulent flows exhibit universal power laws, similar to those in critical phenomena. There have been serious efforts to develop a theory for these properties faithfully (i.e. without approximations) from the Navier-Stokes equations. Researchers have also attempted to relate turbulence to conformal field theory. The slowly varying black-hole solutions of Einstein equations with negative cosmological constant have been mapped to solutions of relativistic fluid equations. Relations between vorticity and loop equations in gauge theories too provide important clues to the turbulence problem. Investigation of singularities to Navier-Stokes equations and Euler equations has been another area of major interest. There is thus a multi-faceted approach to understanding and predicting turbulence, but the progress appears fragmented. The ICTS program is an effort to bridge progress in these many directions.

In particular, this program will focus on

     1. Connections between turbulence, field theory, statistical mechanics, and critical phenomena
     2. Standard theories of scaling in turbulence
     3. Circulation in classical and quantum fluid flows
     4. Quantum gravity and loop gravity
     5. Turbulence and singularities of fluid equations

Eligibility criteria: Open to all graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty members working in the area of turbulence, fluid mechanics, and field theory.

Accommodation will be provided for outstation participants at our on campus guest house.

ICTS is committed to building an environment that is inclusive, non-discriminatory and welcoming of diverse individuals. We especially encourage the participation of women and other under-represented groups.