Modern measurement technologies have revolutionized the way we understand and analyze fluid dynamics. From aerodynamics to medical imaging, these advancements provide critical data for numerous applications. How does air flow around an airplane? How does blood move through our veins? And how can pollutant emissions in combustion processes be minimized? These questions are answered through the analysis of speed, direction, pressure, and turbulence within a flow.

iLA_5150 GmbH from Aachen, Germany, has recently adopted a new optical method called Event-Based Particle Image Velocimetry (EBIV) to visualize and quantify flows. This innovative technique combines PIV with event-based cameras, specifically the uEye EVS from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH. The event-based sensor technology enables highly dynamic and energy-efficient detection of fast and turbulent movements.

In the EBIV method, tiny particles are added to a flowing fluid and illuminated in a plane called the light section plane. As these particles enter and exit the LED light section, they generate individual light pulses. These changes in local brightness are recorded independently by the camera pixels and transmitted to the PC as a data stream of "change events." Unlike conventional cameras that capture every frame, event-based models only react to changes in brightness. This significantly reduces the amount of data generated.

The uEye XCP-E from IDS offers event-based sensor technology in a compact design, making it ideal for both industrial and non-industrial areas. It supports high frame rates of up to 10,000 frames per second, which is comparable to high-speed cameras but at a much lower cost. This technology is particularly beneficial for smaller teaching and research institutions.

The data stream is converted into image data using suitable software, such as the EBIV viewer from iLA_5150/PIVTec. Users can adjust parameters like integration time (exposure time) and time increments between shots to optimize the display of movement paths. Classic image filters can also be applied to further enhance visualization.

For precise numerical analysis of flow properties, short time-defined light pulses illuminate individual particles. By comparing particle positions in successive images, PIV can calculate the speed and direction of the flow with high accuracy. The result is a transient 2D vector field that changes over time.

Event-based camera technology offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive high-speed cameras for visualizing fast flows with high temporal resolution. Its ability to generate small amounts of data makes it ideal for real-time analysis and integration with fully automated systems.