Patterns and flow in frictional fluid dynamics - Bjornar Sandnes (Nature Communications, 2011)
The paper presented several original findings, most notably the discovery of new types of flow instabilities involving frictional fluids, and the construction of a unified phase diagram showing the connection between different multiphase flow modes. The paper represented the culmination of an extensive experimental campaign, and also included new theoretical models predicting transitions between flow modes. The fundamental insight gained has significance for applications related to CO2 geo-sequestration and hydro-fracture, as well as environmental flows involving granular materials. The results were featured in Physics Today and several online popular science media.