JonathanP. Rothstein
   Dept.of MechanicalEngineering 
   Room 3-259, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
   77 Massachusetts Avenue 
   Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
   Ph: 617.253.0273   FAX: 617.258.8559
   jproth@mit.edu


 

   Jonathan Rothsteinwas born in 1974 in Hartford, Connecticut and spent the majority of hisyouth growing up in Holliston, Massachusetts. He received his B.E.in MechanicalEngineering from The Cooper Union for theAdvancement of Science and Art in 1996. He began his graduatestudieswith Prof. Gareth McKinley at HarvardUniversity in the Department of Engineering and Applied Science.
   Afterreceivinghis M.S. at Harvard in 1998 he followed Prof. McKinley to the FluidMechanicsLaboratory of MIT's Mechanical Engineering Department where he beganworkingtowards his Ph.D. in non-Newtonian fluid mechanics. His current researchfocuses on the characterization and analysis of the flow of highly elasticdilute polymer solutions through axisymmetric abrupt contraction-expansions.The aim of this research is to foster an understanding of the importantrolethat the extensional properties of polymeric fluids play in the dynamicsofcomplex flows. His other research interests include the rheology ofcomplexfluids, the effect of viscous heating on elastic flow instabilitiesand flowsinvolving self-assembling micelles.

Curriculum Vite


Peer-reviewed publications list:

Rothstein, J.P. and McKinley,G.H., "The Axisymmetric Contraction-Expansion: The Role of Extensional Rheology on Vortex Growth Dynamics and the Enhanced Pressure Drop", J.Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech., (2000) Submitted.  GHM50.pdf(522 KB)   Abstract

Rothstein, J.P. and McKinley,G.H., "Non-Isothermal Modifications of Purely Elastic Flow Instabilities in Torsional Flows of Polymeric Fluids". Phys. Fluids., (2000), Submitted.  GHM46.pdf (306 KB) 

Rothstein, J.P.and McKinley,G.H., "Extensional Flow of a Polystyrene Boger Fluid Througha 4:1:4Axisymmetric Contraction/Expansion", J. Non-Newt. Fluid Mech. ,86,(1999), 61-88.   GHM38.pdf (964KB)


The Asymmetric Contraction-Expansion



This image is apseudo streakimage of the flow of a highly elastic solution through an axisymmetric 4-1-4 contraction-expansion. The fluid is a 0.025wt% high molecular weight monodisperse polystyrene dissolved in an oligomeric polystyrene. To viewa movie showing the growth of the enhanced upstream vortex structure andthe onset of an elastic instability click on the follow clip.  QuicktimeVideo (7.1MB)

To view a movie of the elastic lip vortex upstream of a 2:1:2axisymmetric contraction-expansion using the same fluid click the followingclip.  lip_vortex.avi

Journal of Rheology 2001.wpd
Type III Exponential Profiles.OPJ
typeIII IIT homogeneous runs.wb3
typeIII OB1 homogeneous runs.wb3