2d-LCA – a new sensor for highly resolved turbulence in liquids

The 2d-LCA (2d-Laser-Cantilever-Anemometer) has originally been developed as a robust alternative to hot wire anemometry. It utilizes the laser pointer principle of a scanning-force microscope to measure the velocity and the angle of attack of fluid flows. The sensing element is a self-developed cantilever (bending beam) of 150µm (or 400µm) in length that is set into the flow. Several cantilever designs with different geometries and properties have been developed to fit various flow situations and demands.

The working principle of the 2d-LCA has been proven in various experiments under laboratory and atmospheric conditions. Recently, we have succeeded to modify the 2d-LCA in order to perform measurements in water. In a first attempt we have measured a turbulent water flow that was generated using an obstacle with a sampling frequency of 20kHz. The measurements have been performed in the water channel of the University of Southern California (USC).

Unlike hot-wires or hot-films, the resolution power of the 2d-LCA does not decrease with increasing flow velocity, making it particularly suitable for measurements in high-speed flows. In the recent past a lot of effort has been invested in order to make the 2d-LCA a portable and easy to use measurement device.