ABSTRACT
A set of fundamental yet ill-understood phenomena in fluid dynamics involves changes in the topology of interfaces between partially miscible or nominally ‘immiscible’ fluids. Such changes occur, for example, when continuous jets pinch off into droplets, when sheared interfaces atomize, and when droplets of one fluid reconnect with one another. These topological transitions occur in many practical applications involving transport, mixing, and separation of petroleum, chemical, and food products as well as contaminated waste streams.
