In the standard cosmological picture the Universe underwent a brief period of near-exponential expansion, known as Inflation. This provides an explanation for structure formation through the amplification of perturbations by the rapid expansion of the fabric of space. This mechanism is theoretically well studied, but it cannot be directly observed in nature. We currently setting up a series of novel experiments exposing fluid systems to acceleration to simulate a variety of cosmological scenarios. To reach the needed accelerations we purpose-built a high precision mechanical shaker or employ a strong magnetic fields generated in the bore of a superconducting magnet facility at Nottingham. Our physical system consists of two immiscible fluids, and in our setups we are able to precisely control the propagation speed of the interface waves, to capture the essential dynamics of preheating and inflationary fluctuations.
