# Matrix Portal Flow Visualizer ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/097/098/medium800thumb/led_matrices_fish_banner.jpg?1605632871) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/096/873/medium800/led_matrices_davinci_banner.jpg?1604772843) In the field of fluid dynamics, the [Navier-Stokes equations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navier%E2%80%93Stokes_equations) are considered to be the governing equations for fluid flow. They are a mess to deal with directly. However, by ignoring the effects of [viscosity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscosity) and density changes ([compressibility](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressibility)), the equations reduce down to a much more tractable form known as [Laplace's equation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laplace%27s_equation), which has applications in more than just fluid dynamics. When used in fluid dynamics, the resulting flow is referred to as [potential flow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potential_flow). Directly trying to solve the Navier-Stokes equations is the realm of [high end computing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computational_fluid_dynamics) and [PhD level research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence_modeling). By contrast, potential flow problems are commonly assigned as undergraduate homework. Only a minimum amount of computing power is needed. There's even enough power in a little microcontroller, like the ones found on a Matrix Portal, Feathers, and other microcontroller boards. In this guide, we'll use a [Matrix Portal](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745) to create a flow field visualizer based on potential flow. We'll cover a couple of different approaches. The goal here isn't to teach aerodynamics though. We'll provide some details, but this is more of a just-for-fun project that can create some fun and interesting animations. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/097/097/medium800thumb/led_matrices_banner5.jpg?1605632722) ## Hardware If you have an [AdaBox 016](https://learn.adafruit.com/adabox016), then you have everything you need for this project. Otherwise, the parts are available a la carte: ### Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display [Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745) Folks love our [wide selection of RGB matrices](https://www.adafruit.com/category/327) and accessories, for making custom colorful LED displays... and our RGB Matrix Shields and FeatherWings can be quickly soldered together to make the wiring much easier. But what if we made it... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4745/guides) ![Video of a person rotating an LED matrix panel with animation resembling falling colored sand.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4745-05.jpg) ### 64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch [64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278) Bring a little bit of Times Square into your home with this sweet 64 x 32 square RGB LED matrix panel. These panels are normally used to make video walls, here in New York we see them on the sides of busses and bus stops, to display animations or short video clips. We thought they looked... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2278/guides) ![Two white hands hold out an assembled and powered on 64x32 RGB LED Matrix Panel - 4mm pitch. The matrix displays "Adafruit Industries LED MATRIX! 32x64 *RGB*"](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/2278-00.jpg) ### Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1" [Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)  nice whoppin' rectangular slab of some lovely black acrylic to add some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is 2.6mm (0.1") thick and is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects, especially matrices or NeoPixels. Unlike... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4749/guides) ![LED RGB matrix 10.2" x 5.1" with "Adafruit Industries LED Matrix" text showing, and LED acrylic slowly covering to make it nicely diffused](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4749-02.jpg) Or as a kit: ### Adafruit Matrix Portal Starter Kit - ADABOX 016 Essentials [Adafruit Matrix Portal Starter Kit - ADABOX 016 Essentials](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4812) If you missed out on [AdaBox016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr3F8EBAVBU), it's not too late for you to pick up the parts necessary to build many of the projects! It doesn't come with tissue paper or the nifty extras, but it does have all the electronic goodies you... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4812) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4812/guides) ![Top view of kit contents for MatrixPortal Starter kit.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4812-00.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-flow-visualizer/flow-singularities.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display [Adafruit Matrix Portal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745) Folks love our [wide selection of RGB matrices](https://www.adafruit.com/category/327) and accessories, for making custom colorful LED displays... and our RGB Matrix Shields and FeatherWings can be quickly soldered together to make the wiring much easier. But what if we made it... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4745) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4745/guides) ### 64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch [64x32 RGB LED Matrix - 4mm pitch](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278) Bring a little bit of Times Square into your home with this sweet 64 x 32 square RGB LED matrix panel. These panels are normally used to make video walls, here in New York we see them on the sides of busses and bus stops, to display animations or short video clips. We thought they looked... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2278) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2278/guides) ### Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1" [Black LED Diffusion Acrylic Panel - 10.2" x 5.1"](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749)  nice whoppin' rectangular slab of some lovely black acrylic to add some extra diffusion to your LED Matrix project. This material is 2.6mm (0.1") thick and is made of special cast acrylic that makes it perfect for glowy projects, especially matrices or NeoPixels. Unlike... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4749) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4749/guides) ### Adafruit Matrix Portal Starter Kit - ADABOX 016 Essentials [Adafruit Matrix Portal Starter Kit - ADABOX 016 Essentials](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4812) If you missed out on [AdaBox016](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr3F8EBAVBU), it's not too late for you to pick up the parts necessary to build many of the projects! It doesn't come with tissue paper or the nifty extras, but it does have all the electronic goodies you... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4812) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4812/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit MatrixPortal M4](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-matrixportal-m4.md) - [Use an art canvas to diffuse an RGB matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/use-an-art-canvas-to-diffuse-rgb-matrix.md) - [LED Matrix Sports Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-sports-scoreboard.md) - [RGB Matrix Portal Room CO2 Monitor](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-room-co2-monitor.md) - [Weather Display Matrix](https://learn.adafruit.com/weather-display-matrix.md) - [Animated GIF Player for Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/animated-gif-player-for-matrix-portal.md) - [Matrix Portal Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-scoreboard.md) - [Expressive Pixels for Adafruit Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/expressive-pixels-for-matrix-portal.md) - [Moon Phase Clock for Adafruit Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/moon-phase-clock-for-adafruit-matrixportal.md) - [RGB LED Matrices with CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/rgb-led-matrices-matrix-panels-with-circuitpython.md) - [Tombstone Matrix Portal](https://learn.adafruit.com/tombstone-matrix-portal.md) - [LED Matrix Scoreboard](https://learn.adafruit.com/led-matrix-scoreboard.md) - [Purple Air AQI Display](https://learn.adafruit.com/purple-air-aqi-display.md) - [Matrix Portal Creature Eyes](https://learn.adafruit.com/matrix-portal-creature-eyes.md) - [Step Switch Party](https://learn.adafruit.com/step-switch-party.md) - [MIDI Breath Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/midi-breath-controller.md)