Researchers have combined quantum liquids and silicon-chip technology to study turbulence for the first time, opening the door to new navigation technologies and improved understanding of the turbulent dynamics of cyclones and other extreme weather.

Professor Warwick Bowen, from UQ’s Precision Sensing Initiative and the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems said the finding was «a significant advance» and provided a new way to study turbulence.

«Turbulence is often described as the oldest unsolved problem in physics,» Professor Bowen said.

«Our finding allows us to observe nanoscale quantum turbulence, which mirrors the sort of behaviour you see in cyclones.

Artists’ impression of quantum vortices in a liquid. These are the quantum equivalent of vortices in water or a tornado. Their interactions cause dynamics analogous to that of a cyclone. Image: Christopher Baker»This advance is enabled by the properties of quantum liquids, which are fundamentally different to everyday liquids.»

Professor Bowen said it was postulated more than 50 years ago that the turbulence problem could be simplified using quantum liquids.

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Queensland. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.