Sankey charts are a fascinating visual way of presenting data flows and relationships between different elements. They are commonly used in fields such as engineering, economics, sociology, and environmental science to help visualize complex systems and relationships between variables. In this article, we will explore un the potential of Sankey charts and showcase a few examples of their applications in science and engineering.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a network diagram that visually represents data flows over a time frame. It is often used in time-series analysis to help visualize how the flow of data changes over time. It can be used to showcase connections between different elements by showing flow rates, which can be used to understand relationships between different variables or systems. For example, a Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of energy in a power plant, where elements such as boilers, turbines, and generators are connected to each other in a linear flow.
The Basics of Sankey Charts
A Sankey chart is made up of three main elements: the source, the target, and the flow rate. The source is the entity that is starting the flow of data, while the target is the entity that the flow ends. The flow rate, also known as the load, is the amount of data being transferred between both entities. The Sankey chart shows the flow of data over time by drawing lines connecting different elements. A line represents the flow of data from one source to another, and the length of the line represents the flow rate.
An example of a Sankey chart can be seen in the below chart. This is a Sankey chart created for the flow of energy in a power plant. The different elements are connected by lines, and the flow rate is shown as the length of the line. The chart also shows the change over time, where the different elements are highlighted in different colors to show their contribution.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have multiple applications across various fields. They are widely used in economics and sociology to model complex systems like economies, social networks, and disease epidemics. For instance, economists use Sankey charts to visualize the production cycle in manufacturing, where materials flow in and out of various stages of production. In sociology, they are used to model social networks, where people can be represented by lines representing their flow of contact across different communication channels. Researchers in environmental science can use Sankey charts to visualize the flow of nutrients and other vital elements from different sources to the biosphere.
Another application of Sankey charts in the field of transportation is to visualize the flow of traffic flow from different regions. For example, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of traffic between different cities, highways, and tollroads in a network. This visualization helps policymakers to plan for better traffic management and reduce congestion.
Conclusion
Sankey charts have many applications in various fields, from social sciences to engineering. From representing the production cycle in manufacturing to visualizing traffic flow in cities, these charts help in understanding complex relationships and flows in complex systems. With the development of new technologies, such as machine learning, deep learning, and data visualization, Sankey charts will continue to evolve and expand their applications. As a result, they will become tools that aid in data analysis and decision-making, enabling us to gain a better understanding of the flow patterns in complex systems.
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