Reasoning by analogy is powerful in physics for students and researchers alike, a case in point being electronics and hydraulics as analogous studies of electric currents and fluid flows. Around 100 years ago, Nikola Tesla proposed a flow control device intended to operate similarly to an electronic diode, allowing fluid to pass easily in one direction but providing high resistance in reverse. Here, we use experimental tests of Tesla's diode to illustrate principles of the electronic-hydraulic analogy. We design and construct a differential pressure chamber (akin to a battery) that is used to measure flow rate (current) and thus resistance of a given pipe or channel (circuit element). Our results prove the validity of Tesla's device, whose anisotropic resistance derives from its asymmetric internal geometry interacting with high-inertia flows, as quantified by the Reynolds number (here, $\text{Re}\sim {10}^3$). Through the design and testing of new fluidic diodes, we explore the limitations of the analogy and the challenges of shape optimization in fluid mechanics. We also provide materials that may be incorporated into lesson plans for fluid dynamics courses, laboratory modules, and further research projects.

中文翻译：

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特斯拉的流体二极管和电子液压类比

对于学生和研究人员而言，类比推理在物理学上都很有力，例如电子学和液压学就是对电流和流体流动的类比研究。大约100年前，尼古拉·特斯拉（Nikola Tesla）提出了一种流量控制设备，该设备的工作原理类似于电子二极管，允许流体在一个方向上容易通过，但反向提供高阻力。在这里，我们使用特斯拉二极管的实验测试来说明电子液压类比的原理。我们设计并构造了一个差压腔（类似于电池），用于测量流量（电流），从而测量给定管道或通道（电路元件）的电阻。我们的结果证明了特斯拉设备的有效性，$\text{关于}〜{10}^3$）。通过设计和测试新型流体二极管，我们探索了类比的局限性以及流体力学中形状优化的挑战。我们还提供可以纳入流体动力学课程，实验室模块和进一步研究项目的课程计划的材料。