Faculty & Research

personnel profile

Brian J. Cantwell

 
Title:Professor; Edward C. Wells Professor in the School of Engineering
Department(s):Aeronautics and Astronautics, Mechanical Engineering by courtesy
Location:Durand 379
Mail Code:4035
Phone:650.723.4825       
Fax:650.725.3377
E-mail: cantwell@stanford.edu
URL: http://www.stanford.edu/~cantwell/
Administrator: Carolyn R. Edwards

Research Statement

Professor Cantwell's research interests are in the area of turbulent flow. Recent work has centered in three areas: the direct numerical simulation of turbulent shear flows, theoretical studies of the fine scale structure of turbulence, and experimental measurements of turbulent structure in flames. Experimental studies include the development of particle-tracking methods for measuring velocity fields in unsteady flames and variable density jets. Research in turbulence simulation includes the development of spectral methods for simulating vortex rings, the development of topological methods for interpreting complex fields of data, and simulations of high Reynolds number compressible and incompressible wakes. Theoretical studies include predictions of the asymptotic behavior of drifting vortex pairs and vortex rings and use of group theoretical methods to study the nonlinear dynamics of turbulent fine- scale motions.

Degree Discipline Year School
PhD 1976 Caltech

Membership in National Academies

National Academy of Engineering

Academic Honors & Awards

Elected Member, National Academy of Engineering
Best Paper Award, AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference