Thanks to the YouTube phenomenon and a passion for promoting hands-on science education, technology developed at the University of New Mexico is reaching an international audience. Dr. Kevin Cahill and prototype machinist John DeMoss from the Department of Physics & Astronomy have created a laminar flow demonstration couette cell and put it on YouTube. Steve Spangler, a former teacher, nationally known education specialist and former host of the Emmy-winning NBC show News for Kids and Executive Director of the National Hands-on Science Institute, saw the demonstration of the device on YouTube and promptly purchased one.

Mr. Spangler, who’s been on a mission to bring science to the masses through television and video web sites for the past 15 years, was recently interviewed by the London Times (Times Online) about his efforts to promote science education online. To read the full account with mention of and link to the laminar flow video, go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article6417883.ece.

The couette cell was recently posted on foliodirect and is for sell as either CAD-generated technical drawings for individuals with access to machine tools and experience in fabrication or as the device itself. Mr. DeMoss, who specializes in designing and fabricating tools and parts to meet special scientific needs in the laboratory, classroom, and for scientific equipment projects, makes the device for customers interested in purchasing one. The price includes a license to make and/or use the apparatus with an unlimited number of clients and viewers.    It was designed for students and educators to use to gain a better understanding of the concept of fluid dynamics.

Mr. DeMoss explains that the idea for a demonstration device has been around for a while. “I saw a video on a web site years ago for something that was put together using lab ware. Dr. Cahill showed me his attempt at constructing a device by using two beakers, one inside the other, but it was not effective and very cumbersome to use, so he asked me to design and fabricate one for him.” The cell is a cylinder made from cast acrylic plastic consisting of a base plate, top plate, outer cylinder, inner cylinder, handle and bearing, and demonstrates with great visual clarity the properties of laminar flow. Mr. DeMoss stated that the design and construction of the couette cell demonstration device went through three revisions overall and took approximately 4-6 weeks to perfect. Dr. Cahill, a Professor in the University of New Mexico Physics & Astronomy Department, uses it in his classes to demonstrate laminar flow.

And who came up with the idea of putting it on YouTube? Why the Department’s webmaster, Cathy Webster (no pun intended), of course!

To read more about the technology go to http://www.stc.unm.edu/portfolio/portfolio.php?t=1091. To purchase the device or the plans for building it, go to WolfWare®, STC.UNM’s online portal for licensable UNM products on foliodirect, at www.stc.unm.edu/wolfware.