Spontaneous diffusion induced suction between bodies in stratified fluid: Fixed and Moving body experiments

We present experimental observations for the diffusion induced attraction between spheres, cylinders, and walls in stable stratification. Direct observations of finite time collapse are presented for a sphere being attracted to a vertical wall, or another nearby sphere. In turn, detailed PIV measurements are presented for fixed spheres and cylinders in isolation and near walls. These reveal the underlying symmetry breaking responsible for these flows as well the surprising role nearby boundaries play in increasing the strength of the diffusion induced flows.