John Steinhoff (15 September 1942 ) is a classical physicist, best known for his important contributions to

computational fluid dynamics Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is a branch of fluid mechanics that uses numerical analysis and data structures to analyze and solve problems that involve fluid flows. Computers are used to perform the calculations required to simulate th ...

field. He invented a physics based method called

vorticity confinement Vorticity confinement (VC), a physics-based computational fluid dynamics model analogous to shock capturing methods, was invented by Dr. John Steinhoff, professor at the University of Tennessee Space Institute, in the late 1980s to solve vortex domi ...

to compute the numerical solution of

partial differential equation In mathematics, a partial differential equation (PDE) is an equation which imposes relations between the various partial derivatives of a Multivariable calculus, multivariable function. The function is often thought of as an "unknown" to be sol ...

Biography

Steinhoff studied at

University of Chicago The University of Chicago (UChicago, Chicago, U of C, or UChi) is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois. Its main campus is located in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. The University of Chicago is consistently ranked among the b ...

where he was awarded a M.S. degree in physics. Later, in 1972,

awarded him with a Ph.D. degree. He later held a faculty position in the department of aerospace engineering,

University of Tennessee The University of Tennessee (officially The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; or UT Knoxville; UTK; or UT) is a public land-grant research university in Knoxville, Tennessee. Founded in 1794, two years before Tennessee became the 16th state, ...

Space Institute from 1981 to 2011. Most of his research has been involved the treatment of vortex-dominated flows in computational fluid dynamics and the treatment of short wave equation pulses, including the solution of real problems of engineering importance. The recent development of the vorticity confinement method that eliminates effects of numerical diffusion, for computations on Eulerian grids, without the use of Lagrangian markers. This technique has recently been used in many applications involving computation of: Helicopter Blade—Vortex Interaction, Delta Wing Flow, Helicopter Rotor/Body Flow, Helicopter Body—Vortex Interaction, Dynamic Stall, Aircraft Trailing Vortices, Supersonic Flow Over Missiles. Steinhoff also developed another computational technique, wave confinement, for propagating short wave equation pulses over long distances without the use of Lagrangian markers, which require the use of complex

logic Logic is the study of correct reasoning. It includes both formal and informal logic. Formal logic is the science of deductively valid inferences or of logical truths. It is a formal science investigating how conclusions follow from premises ...

and are not feasible for intersecting pulses. This has major applications in communications, radar wave scattering, etc. His methods have also been used in creating special effects for movies such as

Harry Potter ''Harry Potter'' is a series of seven fantasy literature, fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. The novels chronicle the lives of a young Magician (fantasy), wizard, Harry Potter (character), Harry Potter, and his friends ...

and

The Core ''The Core'' is a 2003 American science fiction disaster film directed by Jon Amiel and starring Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Delroy Lindo, Stanley Tucci, D. J. Qualls, Richard Jenkins, Tcheky Karyo, Bruce Greenwood, and Alfre Woodard. The fi ...

. He also authored many scholarly articles and chapters on Vorticity Confinement. He was awarded the Arnold Research award for his major accomplishments in CFD field.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Steinhoff, John 1942 births Living people 21st-century American physicists University of Tennessee faculty Computational physicists University of Chicago alumni