Harvey P. Greenspan
H. P. Greenspan | |
---|---|
Born | Harvard | February 22, 1933
Doctoral advisor | G.F. Carrier |
Notable students | Joseph Pedlosky |
Harvey P. Greenspan (born February 22, 1933, in
. He is notable for theoretical and experimental contributions in various subjects such as wave motion, oceanography, magneto-hydrodynamics, rotating fluids, bio-fluid dynamics, mixtures, centrifugal separation and multi-phase flows.Biography
Born in 1933 in New York, he received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from
Along his career, Greenspan was a member of the
Research
Greenspan's academic career began with an investigation of waves on beaches (with G. F. Carrier). The result of this investigation, a now classical exact solution of the nonlinear theory, established conditions for the breaking of waves and as such remains a key element of tsunami research.
His study of the interaction of fluids and electromagnetism, was among the earliest in the field of
In 1962, motivated by a technological difficulty with a fluid gyroscope, Greenspan initiated an inquiry of rotating fluids. The result of which, was a complete and compact theory, supported by simple yet profound experiments. These experiments demonstrated counter-intuitive results regarding propagation of inertial waves and the flow-control exercised by boundary layers. In particular, the paper on spin-up,[1] with L.N. Howard, is among the most often cited in the literature. His research monograph on this subject,[2] continues to stimulate research and to support scientific and technological applications.
To assist cancer researchers, Dr. Greenspan formulated a theory of tissue fluid dynamics to explain the growth, form, and function of tumor nodules.[3]
Scientific interests and industrial experience was synthesized in a patent for a centrifuge that separates, sorts and fractionates different particle species of a mixture in a truly continuous manner by means of an internal cascade of particle/flow diversions. He successfully constructed a patented prototype of an industrial machine at MIT that demonstrated the feasibility of the basic concept.
References
- ^ Greenspsn, H. P. and Howard, L. N. 1963 On a time dependent motion of a rotating fluid J. Fluid Mech. 17, pp 385–404.
- ^ Greenspan, H. P. "The theory of rotating fluids" Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, England (1968).
- ^ Greenspan, H. P. 1972 Models for the growth of a solid tumor by diffusion Stud. Appl. Math. 51, 317–340