Laurens E. Howle | Scholars@Duke

Laurens E. Howle
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Professor Howle's research interests span the disciplines of thermal science, fluid dynamics, and nonlinear dynamics. His present research projects - visualization of convective fluid patterns, stabilization of the no-motion state in free convection and bifurcation in imperfect or distributed parameter systems - are split evenly between experimental and computational methods.

A key problem facing researchers studying convection in fluid-saturated porous media is the lack of a general, non-invasive method for pattern visualization and wave number measurement. Professor Howle designed innovative porous media which allow optical techniques to be used for the first time as a pattern visualization tool in the study of porous media convection.

Computational spectral methods are efficient methods of simulation of small aspect ratio convection systems. For large problems, these methods can become too expensive to be practical. Professor Howle developed a reduced Galerkin method which decreases the execution time by orders of magnitude for large problems. This extends the range of problems for which certain spectral methods may be used. He is currently studying porous free convection in systems with distributed properties and binary convection using the reduced Galerkin method.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 2000
Associate Professor of Radiology, Radiology, Clinical Science Departments 2014
Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation, Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment 2018
Faculty Network Member of The Energy Initiative, Duke University Energy Initiative, Initiatives 2012

Contact Information

239 Hudson Eng Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
239 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
laurens.howle@duke.edu (919) 660-5331

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- Ph.D., Duke University 1993
Duke Appointment History
- Assistant Professor, Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering 1993 - 2000
Recognition
In the News
- MAR 20, 2017 Pratt School of Engineering
  
  Predicting How Bad the Bends Will Be
Awards & Honors
- Fellows. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2012
Research
Selected Grants
- Probabilistic Decompression Sickness Model Development awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2020 - 2023
- Perfluoromethane to Reduce Decompression Sickness awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2021 - 2022
- Altitude Study awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2017 - 2021
- Advances in Probabilistic Decompression Models and Real-Time Profile Optimization awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2017 - 2020
- Revised Budget: Transfer of Duke Dive Trial Data-JIT for SPS 233417 awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2017 - 2018
- Graduate Fellowship to Strengthen Navy Capabilities in Probabilistic Decompression Modeling awarded by Office of Naval Research 2013 - 2017
- Advances in Probabilistic Decompression Models and Decompression Scheduling awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command 2013 - 2016
- Development of a Propeller and Flapping Wing Test Stand and Associated Instrumentation awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina 2002 - 2005
- Engineering Study of Carangiform Swimming - Reduction to Practice awarded by Office of Naval Research 1999 - 2002
- Innovations in Medical Ultrasound Imaging awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina 1999 - 2002
- Investigations into Micro-Scale Heat Transfer and CAD Tools for Thermal Management in Deep-Submicron Integrated Circuits awarded by National Science Foundation 2000
- Undergraduate Laboratory Renovations awarded by Lord Foundation of North Carolina 1997 - 1998
External Relationships
- Consolidated Safety Services
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Schwartz, Fides R., Douglas S. Lewis, Amy E. King, F Gregory Murphy, Laurens E. Howle, Charles Y. Kim, and Rendon C. Nelson. “Hemodialysis catheter integrity during mechanical power injection of iodinated contrast medium for computed tomography angiography.” Abdom Radiol (Ny), January 2, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-020-02905-9.
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  - Wu, C. Y., D. P. Nowacek, A. E. Nousek-McGregor, R. McGregor, and L. E. Howle. “Computational fluid dynamics of flow regime and hydrodynamic forces generated by a gliding North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis).” Marine Mammal Science, January 1, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12798.
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  - Di Muro, G., F. G. Murphy, R. D. Vann, and L. E. Howle. “Are interconnected compartmental models more effective at predicting decompression sickness risk?” Informatics in Medicine Unlocked 20 (January 1, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2020.100334.
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  - King, A. E., and L. E. Howle. “Tetranomial decompression sickness model using serious, mild, marginal, and non-event outcomes.” Informatics in Medicine Unlocked 20 (January 1, 2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imu.2020.100371.
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  - Howle, L. E., S. D. Kraus, T. B. Werner, and D. P. Nowacek. “Simulation of the entanglement of a North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) with fixed fishing gear.” Marine Mammal Science 35, no. 3 (July 1, 2019): 760–78. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12562.
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  - Murphy, F Gregory, Ashleigh J. Swingler, Wayne A. Gerth, and Laurens E. Howle. “Iso-risk air no decompression limits after scoring marginal decompression sickness cases as non-events.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 92 (January 2018): 110–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.11.012.
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  - Murphy, F Gregory, Ethan A. Hada, David J. Doolette, and Laurens E. Howle. “Probabilistic pharmacokinetic models of decompression sickness in humans: Part 2, coupled perfusion-diffusion models.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 92 (January 2018): 90–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.11.011.
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  - King, Amy E., F Gregory Murphy, and Laurens E. Howle. “Bimodal decompression sickness onset times are not related to dive type or event severity.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 91 (December 2017): 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.10.010.
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  - Murphy, F Gregory, Ethan A. Hada, David J. Doolette, and Laurens E. Howle. “Probabilistic pharmacokinetic models of decompression sickness in humans, part 1: Coupled perfusion-limited compartments.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 86 (July 2017): 55–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.04.014.
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  - Howle, L. E., P. W. Weber, and J. M. Nichols. “Bayesian approach to decompression sickness model parameter estimation.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 82 (March 2017): 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2017.01.006.
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  - Fiore, Giovani, Erik Anderson, C Spencer Garborg, Mark Murray, Mark Johnson, Michael J. Moore, Laurens Howle, and K Alex Shorter. “From the track to the ocean: Using flow control to improve marine bio-logging tags for cetaceans.” Plos One 12, no. 2 (January 2017): e0170962. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170962.
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  - Howle, Laurens E., Paul W. Weber, Ethan A. Hada, Richard D. Vann, and Petar J. Denoble. “The probability and severity of decompression sickness.” Plos One 12, no. 3 (2017): e0172665. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0172665.
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  - Alex Shorter, K., M. M. Murray, M. Johnson, M. Moore, and L. E. Howle. “Drag of suction cup tags on swimming animals: Modeling and measurement.” Marine Mammal Science 30, no. 2 (January 1, 2014): 726–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12083.
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  - Balmer, B. C., R. S. Wells, L. E. Howle, A. A. Barleycorn, W. A. McLellan, D. Ann Pabst, T. K. Rowles, et al. “Advances in cetacean telemetry: A review of single-pin transmitter attachment techniques on small cetaceans and development of a new satellite-linked transmitter design.” Marine Mammal Science 30, no. 2 (January 1, 2014): 656–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12072.
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  - Weber, P. W., L. E. Howle, M. M. Murray, J. S. Reidenberg, and F. E. Fish. “Hydrodynamic performance of the flippers of large-bodied cetaceans in relation to locomotor ecology.” Marine Mammal Science 30, no. 2 (January 1, 2014): 413–32. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12040.
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  - Howle, Laurens E. “Analytic gain in probabilistic decompression sickness models.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 43, no. 11 (November 2013): 1739–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2013.07.026.
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  - Alex Shorter, K., M. M. Murray, M. Johnson, M. Moore, and L. E. Howle. “Drag of suction cup tags on swimming animals: Modeling and measurement.” Marine Mammal Science, 2013.
  - Balmer, B. C., R. S. Wells, L. E. Howle, A. A. Barleycorn, W. A. Mcclellan, D. Ann Pabst, T. K. Rowles, et al. “Advances in cetacean telemetry: A review of single-pin transmitter attachment techniques on small cetaceans and development of a new satellite-linked transmitter design.” Marine Mammal Science, 2013.
  - Weber, P. W., L. E. Howle, M. M. Murray, J. S. Reidenberg, and F. E. Fish. “Hydrodynamic performance of the flippers of large-bodied cetaceans in relation to locomotor ecology.” Marine Mammal Science, 2013.
  - Bashir, Mustafa R., Paul W. Weber, Daniela B. Husarik, Laurens E. Howle, and Rendon C. Nelson. “Improved aortic enhancement in CT angiography using slope-based triggering with table speed optimization: a pilot study.” Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 28, no. 6 (August 2012): 1533–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-011-9945-8.
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  - Husarik, Daniela B., Mustafa R. Bashir, Paul W. Weber, Eli B. Nichols, Laurens E. Howle, Elmar M. Merkle, and Rendon C. Nelson. “Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography: first-pass arterial enhancement as a function of gadolinium-chelate concentration, and the saline chaser volume and injection rate.” Invest Radiol 47, no. 2 (February 2012): 121–27. https://doi.org/10.1097/RLI.0b013e3182300603.
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  - Fish, F. E., P. W. Weber, M. M. Murray, and L. E. Howle. “Marine applications of the biomimetic humpback whale flipper.” Marine Technology Society Journal 45, no. 4 (July 1, 2011): 198–207. https://doi.org/10.4031/MTSJ.45.4.1.
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  - Fish, Frank E., Paul W. Weber, Mark M. Murray, and Laurens E. Howle. “The tubercles on humpback whales' flippers: application of bio-inspired technology.” Integrative and Comparative Biology 51, no. 1 (July 2011): 203–13. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icr016.
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  - Weber, Paul W., Laurens E. Howle, Mark M. Murray, and Joseph M. Corless. “A simplified mass-transfer model for visual pigments in amphibian retinal-cone outer segments.” Biophys J 100, no. 3 (February 2, 2011): 525–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpj.2010.11.085.
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  - Fish, F. E., P. W. Weber, L. E. Howle, M. M. Murray, and J. S. Reidenberg. “Hydrodynamic performance of the flippers of large-bodied cetaceans.” Secondary Adaptation of Tetrapods to Life in Water, 2011.
  - Weber, P. W., L. E. Howle, M. M. Murray, and D. S. Miklosovic. “Computational evaluation of the performance of lifting surfaces with leading-edge protuberances.” Journal of Aircraft 48, no. 2 (January 1, 2011): 591–600. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.C031163.
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  - Macha, D. B., R. C. Nelson, L. E. Howle, J. W. Hollingsworth, and S. T. Schindera. “Response.” Radiology 255, no. 2 (May 1, 2010): 662. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.092152.
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  - Weber, P. W., L. E. Howle, and M. M. Murray. “Lift, drag, and cavitation onset on rudders with leading-edge tubercles.” Marine Technology 47, no. 1 (January 1, 2010): 27–36.
  - Coursey, Courtney A., Rendon C. Nelson, Paul W. Weber, Laurens E. Howle, Eli B. Nichols, Daniele Marin, and David DeLong. “Contrast material administration protocols for 64-MDCT angiography: altering volume and rate and use of a saline chaser to better match the imaging window--physiologic phantom study.” Ajr Am J Roentgenol 193, no. 6 (December 2009): 1568–75. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.09.2670.
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  - Howle, Laurens E., Paul W. Weber, and Richard D. Vann. “A computationally advantageous system for fitting probabilistic decompression models to empirical data.” Computers in Biology and Medicine 39, no. 12 (December 2009): 1117–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2009.09.006.
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  - Macha, Douglas B., Rendon C. Nelson, Laurens E. Howle, John W. Hollingsworth, and Sebastian T. Schindera. “Central venous catheter integrity during mechanical power injection of iodinated contrast medium.” Radiology 253, no. 3 (December 2009): 870–78. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2533081086.
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  - Weber, P. W., M. M. Murray, L. E. Howle, and F. E. Fish. “Comparison of real and idealized cetacean flippers.” Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 4, no. 4 (December 2009): 046001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3182/4/4/046001.
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  - Howle, Laurens E., Paul W. Weber, Richard D. Vann, and Mark C. Campbell. “Marginal DCS events: their relation to decompression and use in DCS models.” Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985) 107, no. 5 (November 2009): 1539–47. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00185.2009.
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  - Weber, Paul W., Courtney A. Coursey, Laurens E. Howle, Rendon C. Nelson, Eli B. Nichols, and Sebastian T. Schindera. “Modifying peripheral IV catheters with side holes and side slits results in favorable changes in fluid dynamic properties during the injection of iodinated contrast material.” Ajr Am J Roentgenol 193, no. 4 (October 2009): 970–77. https://doi.org/10.2214/AJR.09.2521.
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  - Weber, Paul W., Laurens E. Howle, Mark M. Murray, and Frank E. Fish. “Lift and drag performance of odontocete cetacean flippers.” The Journal of Experimental Biology 212, no. Pt 14 (July 2009): 2149–58. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.029868.
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  - Vann, Richard D., Petar J. Denoble, Laurens E. Howle, Paul W. Weber, John J. Freiberger, and Carl F. Pieper. “Resolution and severity in decompression illness.” Aviat Space Environ Med 80, no. 5 (May 2009): 466–71. https://doi.org/10.3357/asem.2471.2009.
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  - Fish, F. E., L. L. Timm, M. M. Murray, and L. E. Howle. “Ecological morphology of the flippers of cetaceans based on two-dimensional geometry.” Integrative and Comparative Biology 49 (February 1, 2009): E229–E229.
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  - Fish, Frank E., Laurens E. Howle, and Mark M. Murray. “Hydrodynamic flow control in marine mammals.” Integrative and Comparative Biology 48, no. 6 (December 2008): 788–800. https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icn029.
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  - Schindera, Sebastian T., Rendon C. Nelson, Laurens Howle, Eli Nichols, David M. DeLong, and Elmar M. Merkle. “Effect of varying injection rates of a saline chaser on aortic enhancement in CT angiography: phantom study.” Eur Radiol 18, no. 8 (August 2008): 1683–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-008-0911-3.
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  - Miklosovic, D. S., M. M. Murray, and L. E. Howle. “Experimental evaluation of sinusoidal leading edges.” Journal of Aircraft 44, no. 4 (January 1, 2007): 1404–8. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.30303.
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  - Miklosovic, D. S., M. M. Murray, L. E. Howle, and F. E. Fish. “Leading-edge tubercles delay stall on humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) flippers.” Physics of Fluids 16, no. 5 (January 1, 2004). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1688341.
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  - Fish, F. E., D. S. Miklosovic, M. M. Murray, and L. E. Howle. “Delayed stall due to leading edge tubercles of the humpback whale flipper.” Integrative and Comparative Biology 43, no. 6 (December 1, 2003): 903–903.
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  - Wagner, B. A., A. L. Bertozzi, and L. E. Howle. “Positive feedback control of Rayleigh-Bénard convection.” Discrete and Continuous Dynamical Systems Series B 3, no. 4 (November 1, 2003): 619–42.
  - Murray, M. M., and L. E. Howle. “Spring stiffness influence on an oscillating propulsor.” Journal of Fluids and Structures 17, no. 7 (January 1, 2003): 915–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0889-9746(03)00026-4.
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  - Hasik, Matthew J., Dennis H. Kim, Laurens E. Howle, David Needham, and Donald P. Prush. “Evaluation of synthetic phospholipid ultrasound contrast agents.” Ultrasonics 40, no. 9 (November 2002): 973–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0041-624x(02)00384-0.
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  - Howle, L. E. “The effect of boundary properties on controlled Rayleigh-Benard convection.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 411 (May 25, 2000): 39–58. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112099007910.
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  - Chen, D., H. O. Wang, and L. E. Howle. “Bifurcation control of Rayleigh-Benard convection.” Ieee Conference on Control Applications Proceedings 1 (December 1, 1999): 377–82.
  - Craciunescu, O. I., L. E. Howle, and S. T. Clegg. “Experimental evaluation of the thermal properties of two tissue equivalent phantom materials.” Int J Hyperthermia 15, no. 6 (November 1999): 509–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/026567399285503.
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  - Gustafson, M. R., and L. E. Howle. “Effects of anisotropy and boundary plates on the critical values of a porous medium heated from below.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 42, no. 18 (September 1, 1999): 3419–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0017-9310(99)00028-9.
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  - Chen, D., H. O. Wang, L. E. Howle, M. R. Gustafson, and T. Meressi. “Amplitude control of bifurcations and application to Rayleigh-Benard convection.” Proceedings of the Ieee Conference on Decision and Control 2 (December 1, 1998): 1951–56.
  - Howle, L., D. G. Schaeffer, M. Shearer, and P. Zhong. “Lithotripsy: The treatment of kidney stones with shock waves.” Siam Review 40, no. 2 (January 1, 1998): 356–71. https://doi.org/10.1137/S0036144597322630.
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  - Howle, L. E., R. P. Behringer, and J. G. Georgiadis. “Convection and flow in porous media. Part 2. Visualization by shadowgraph.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics 332 (February 10, 1997): 247–62. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0022112096004004.
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  - Howle, L. E. “Control of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a small aspect ratio container.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 40, no. 4 (January 1, 1997): 817–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(96)00174-3.
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  - Howle, L. E. “Active control of Rayleigh-Bénard convection.” Physics of Fluids 9, no. 7 (January 1, 1997): 1861–63. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.869335.
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  - Howle, L. E. “Linear stability analysis of controlled Rayleigh-Bénard convection using shadowgraphic measurement.” Physics of Fluids 9, no. 11 (January 1, 1997): 3111–13. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.869428.
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  - Murray, M. M., H. L. Tong, L. E. Howle, and P. Zhong. “Response to a lithotripter shock wave of a cavitation bubble surrounded by a viscoelastic membrane.” American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) Fed 21 (1997): 6pp.
  - Howle, L. E. “A comparison of the reduced Galerkin and pseudo-spectral methods for simulation of steady Rayleigh-Bénard convection.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 39, no. 12 (January 1, 1996): 2401–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(95)00346-0.
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  - Gustafson, M. R., and L. E. Howle. “Control of Rayleigh-Benard convection in small aspect ratio containers.” American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) Fed 216 (December 1, 1995): 77–81.
  - Howle, L. E. “Efficient implementation of a finite-difference/galerkin method for simulation of large aspect ratio convection.” Numerical Heat Transfer, Part B: Fundamentals 26, no. 1 (January 1, 1994): 105–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/10407799408914920.
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  - Howle, L. E., and J. G. Georgiadis. “Natural convection in porous media with anisotropic dispersive thermal conductivity.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 37, no. 7 (January 1, 1994): 1081–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/0017-9310(94)90194-5.
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  - Howle, L. E., R. P. Behringer, and J. G. Georgiadis. “Visualization of natural convection in ordered and disordered porous layers.” American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) Fed 172 (December 1, 1993): 387–95.
  - Howle, L. E., R. P. Behringer, and J. G. Georgiadis. “Visualization of convective fluid flow in a porous medium.” Nature 362, no. 7 (1993): 230–32.
  - Howle, L., R. P. Behringer, and J. Georgiadis. “Visualization of convective fluid flow in a porous medium.” Nature 362, no. 6417 (January 1, 1993): 230–32. https://doi.org/10.1038/362230a0.
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  - Dunford, Richard G., Petar D. Denoble, Robert Forbes, Carl F. Pieper, Laurens E. Howle, and Richard D. Vann. “A study of decompression sickness using recorded depth-time profiles.” Undersea Hyperb Med 47, no. 1 (n.d.): 75–91.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

In the News

Awards & Honors

Selected Grants

External Relationships

Selected Publications

Academic Articles

Recent Courses