Erik Wickley-Olsen

Personal Profile

Erik Wickley-Olsen

I enjoy studying the many aspects of fluid mechanics. Currently, I am researching an efficient method for evaluating the rate of energy dissipation in various types of ocean waves. This research is being performed in a joint venture with Temple University, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

We are concerned with the cleanup of oil slicks on and in the ocean. After these environmental catastrophes occur, the oil must be prevented from entering coastal zones. One method of cleanup is with the use of oil dispersants. These chemicals promote the breakup of oil and allow its dispersal into the water. The oil is then allowed to settle and naturally breakdown.

Ocean waves promote mixing of the oil and dispersant. The rate of energy lost from breaking waves is correlated to the amount of mixing of the two chemicals. It is important to quantify the rate of energy transfer to characterize the effectiveness of the dispersant.

My background is in mechanical engineering.

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