Francis H. Harlow
Encyclopedia
Francis Harvey Harlow is an American theoretical physicist known for his work in the field of fluid dynamics
. He was a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory
, Los Alamos, New Mexico
. Harlow is credited with establishing the science of computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) as an important discipline.
He is known for his fundamental contributions to the development of several CFD algorithms for computer simulation of fluid flows, including Particle-In-Cell
(PIC), Fluid-In-Cell (FLIC), and Marker-And-Cell
(MAC) methods. Harlow is a Fellow of the American Physical Society
.
Fluid dynamics
In physics, fluid dynamics is a sub-discipline of fluid mechanics that deals with fluid flow—the natural science of fluids in motion. It has several subdisciplines itself, including aerodynamics and hydrodynamics...
. He was a researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a United States Department of Energy national laboratory, managed and operated by Los Alamos National Security , located in Los Alamos, New Mexico...
, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Los Alamos is a townsite and census-designated place in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States, built upon four mesas of the Pajarito Plateau and the adjoining White Rock Canyon. The population of the CDP was 12,019 at the 2010 Census. The townsite or "the hill" is one part of town while...
. Harlow is credited with establishing the science of computational fluid dynamics
Computational fluid dynamics
Computational fluid dynamics, usually abbreviated as CFD, is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to solve and analyze problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate the interaction of liquids and gases with...
(CFD) as an important discipline.
He is known for his fundamental contributions to the development of several CFD algorithms for computer simulation of fluid flows, including Particle-In-Cell
Particle-in-cell
The Particle-in-Cell method refers to a technique used to solve a certain class of partial differential equations. In this method, individual particles in a Lagrangian frame are tracked in continuous phase space, whereas moments of the distribution such as densities and currents are computed...
(PIC), Fluid-In-Cell (FLIC), and Marker-And-Cell
Marker-And-Cell
The Marker-And-Cell method is commonly used in computer graphics to discretize functions for fluid and other simulations. -External links:*, an explanation of fluid simulation...
(MAC) methods. Harlow is a Fellow of the American Physical Society
American Physical Society
The American Physical Society is the world's second largest organization of physicists, behind the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. The Society publishes more than a dozen scientific journals, including the world renowned Physical Review and Physical Review Letters, and organizes more than 20...
.