Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Lynx effect


Hidden within the dark torrent of subliminal messages communicated by commercial advertising and branding, it seems that aerodynamic information from contemporary Formula One is being transmitted on the side of Lynx anti-perspirant cans.

In the case shown here, one can see the vortices on a transverse plane just in front of the floor. The large structure on the right is clearly the Y250 vortex, created by the transition between the front-wing camber and the mandatory neutral central section astride the nose pylons. To the left, one can see two smaller vortices, probably shed by a guide vane hanging down from the underside of the nose.

Doubtless, the transient effect that such products have on axillary diaphoresis is matched only by the transient instability of these vortices.