Ed J. Walsh^a,*, Mark R.D. Davies^a and Donald M. McEligot^b,c

^a Stokes Research Institute, Department of Mechanical & Aeronautical Engineering, University of Limerick, Plassey Technological Park, Limerick, Ireland.
^* E-mail: [email protected], Tel. +353 61 213181; Fax +353 61 202393
^b University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
^cIdaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, P.O.Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415-3885, USA.

Received: 3 March 2004 / Accepted: 25 August 2004 / Published: 26 August 2004

Abstract: Boundary layer transition is a critical parameter in the design of fluid flow systems. This situation is due to the dramatic change in both entropy production and heat transfer that accompanies it. It is well recognized that many parameters affect the location of transition onset, however, no models exist which unify all these parameters. This paper presents a new hypothesis that the driving force of boundary layer transition onset is the entropy generation rate alone, with all other parameters being functions of this higher order quantity. At present this hypothesis is speculative, but encouraging since good compatibility is found with more established transition models.

Keywords: entropy; transition onset; boundary layer stability.