3D Lightfield Measurement Technique for Spray Applications

The aim of this PhD is to develop a 3D measurement technique applied to spray dispersion (fuel droplets or droplets expelled from a sneeze). The technique is based on light field imaging (plenoptic camera). Plenoptic cameras capture the light field by recording the intensity, position and orientation of rays. The information on the orientation of the rays allows to get 3D information from a juxtaposition of 2D information captured by a high-resolution sensor. Sub-pixel morphological analysis tools developed by the team will be exploited to refine the 3D characterization of gas-liquid interfaces.

The elements for the modelling of the 3D metrology (optical field recording) in its application to sprays will be first implemented numerically and then experimentally. The plenoptic camera will use a lens, a high-definition sensor and a network of micro lenses.

The mid-term perspective of this development is to propose an experimental alternative to the CFD approach for the characterization of primary atomization. The application to sprays will open up a wide range of perspectives, through the contribution that this 3D information represents, both for the understanding and modeling of atomization processes and for their practical analysis. A recent example concerns the dispersion of droplets from the human body to understand the key elements driving the spread of infections.