The Experimental Hydrodynamics Laboratory has ongoing research focused on applications relating to advanced surface ship, offshore platform and underwater vehicle design.

Research into complex hydrodynamic phenomena has direct implications on the design of vessels and structures operating in the ocean, as well as other areas of fluid dynamics such as boundary layers and wakes, internal flows, and geological and environmental flows.

In order to advance research in these areas, the development of non-invasive flow measurement and visualization methods, including two- and three-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV), fluid shear stress measurement techniques and qualitative flow imaging, are necessary.

The EHL employs highly motivated graduate and undergraduate students interested in experimental hydrodynamics.  Students interested in working at the EHL should be self-motivated and capable of hands-on experimental work.  Expect to get a bit dirty and wet, but to learn a lot about hydrodynamics!

Professor Alexandra H. Techet is the director of the Experimental Hydrodynamics Laboratory and co-director of the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory.

About the EHL

Experimental Hydrodynamics Laboratory (EHL)

Massachusetts Institute of Technology


Location: Room 5-025

77 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA 02129, USA


Phone 617-324-5170

Email ehl at mit

"Big whirls have little whirls,

That feed on their velocity;

And little whirls have lesser whirls,

And so on to viscosity."

— Lewis Fry Richardson

(Click videos to play)


A hydrophobic billiard ball impacts the free surface at about 1.7 m/s. High-speed video of the impact is show from the top and side.  The sphere is  spinning at ~100 rad/s.


Note the curvature of the cavity due to the Magnus force, and the formation of the fluid wedge in the center of the cavity due to viscous no-slip effects.


Videos by Truscott & Techet