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151-0125-00L 4 Credits BSC , MSC D-MAVT , D-MATH

Hydrodynamics and Cavitation

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Outi Supponen

Does not take place this semester.

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:07:54

Abstract

This course builds on the foundations of fluid dynamics to describe hydrodynamic flows and provides an introduction to cavitation.

Objective

The main learning objectives of this course are: 1. Identify and describe dominant effects in liquid fluid flows through physical modelling. 2. Identify and predict the onset of hydrodynamic instabilities. 3. Describe acoustic wave behaviour in liquids. 4. Explain tension, nucleation and phase-change in liquids. 5. Predict the behaviour of a gas bubble subject to changes in surrounding liquid pressure. 6. Describe hydrodynamic cavitation and its consequences in physical terms. 7. Recognise experimental techniques and industrial and medical applications for cavitation. 8. Read and evaluate research papers on recent research on cavitation and bubble dynamics and communicate the content orally to a multidisciplinary audience.

Content

The course gives an overview on the following topics: basics of hydrodynamics, capillarity, hydrodynamic instabilities, liquid fragmentation. Acoustics in liquids, tension in liquids, phase change. Cavitation and bubble dynamics: single bubbles (nucleation, dynamics, collapse), bubble clouds and cavitating flows. Industrial applications and measurement techniques.

Resources

Lecture Notes

Class notes and handouts

Literature

Literature will be provided in the course material.

General Information

Language: English
Levels: BSC , MSC
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: written 120 minutes
Aids: One page (A4, two-sided) of own handwritten notes on the subject.

The written final exam (taking place during the examination session) covers all contents of this course, including lectures, exercises as well as numerical and experimental assignments. It counts 60% towards the final grade. Additionally, there will be a compulsory continuous performance assessment (counting 40% towards the final grade) divided in three parts: (i) 10% will be based on a numerical assignment, (ii) 20% will rely on a lab report based on an experiment performed in groups of 5 students and (iii) the last 10% will be based on an oral presentation on a research article.

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Hydrodynamics and Cavitation Does not take place this semester. The course doesn't take place in HS26 and will be offered in HS27 again.	No time listed	2 h weekly
exercise	Hydrodynamics and Cavitation Does not take place this semester. The course doesn't take place in HS26 and will be offered in HS27 again.	No time listed	1 h weekly

Offered In

Computational Science and Engineering Bachelor
- Fields of Specialization
  - Fluid Dynamics
Mechanical Engineering Bachelor
- Bachelor Studies (Programme Regulations 2022)
  - Focus Specialization
    - Sustainable Energy and Processes (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Mark Tibbitt In order to achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Sustainable Energy and Processes you need to pass at least 2 core courses (W+) and at least 2 of the elective courses, according to the presentation of the Focus Specialization. If needed, an additional course from the D-MAVT course offerings (151-…) at the 3rd-year Bachelor level can be selected.)
Mechanical Engineering Master
- Core Courses (The Core Courses in the Master’s program Mechanical Engineering listed below are indicative and include courses designed by the Department at the Master's level. With the approval of the tutor, students may also select Master's-level courses offered by other departments at ETH. These courses will be marked as non-regular in the LAG, but their categorization as Core Courses is possible if included in the approved LAG.)
Process Engineering Master
- Core Courses
Computational Science and Engineering Master
- Fields of Specialization
  - Fluid Dynamics (One of the course units 151-0103-00L Fluid Dynamics II 151-0109-00L Turbulent Flows is compulsory. Students able to follow courses in German are advised to choose 151-0103-00L Fluid Dynamics II.)