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Laurens E. Howle

Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
239 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300
239 Hudson Eng Bldg, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708-0300

Overview


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


Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science · 2024 - Present Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Pratt School of Engineering
Associate Professor of Radiology · 2014 - Present Radiology, Clinical Science Departments
Associate Professor in the Division of Marine Science and Conservation · 2018 - Present Marine Science and Conservation, Nicholas School of the Environment

Recent Publications


Pushing Scuba to New Heights: Approach, Decompression, and Logistical Considerations for High-Altitude Diving.

Journal Article High Alt Med Biol · June 2025 Yoder, Taylor L., Kreager A. Taber, Laurens E. Howle, and Richard E. Moon. Pushing scuba to new heights: approach, decompression, and logistical considerations for high-altitude diving. High Alt Med Biol. 26:109-117, 2025.-There is interest among technical ... Full text Link to item Cite

Computational fluid dynamics of flow regime and hydrodynamic forces generated by a gliding North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis)

Journal Article Marine Mammal Science · July 1, 2021 Accurate estimates of drag on marine animals are required to investigate the locomotive cost, propulsive efficiency, and the impacts of entanglement if the animal is carrying fishing gear. In this study, we performed computational fluid dynamics analysis o ... Full text Cite

Hemodialysis catheter integrity during mechanical power injection of iodinated contrast medium for computed tomography angiography.

Journal Article Abdom Radiol (NY) · June 2021 PURPOSE: CT angiography (CTA) requires vascular access with flow rates of 5-7 mL/s. Hemodialysis (HD) is performed at 6-10 mL/s. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the structural integrity of HD catheters in the administration of contrast media via a ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Perfluoromethane as a Decompression Gas for Human Diving

ResearchConsultant · Awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command · 2025 - 2030

Probabilistic Decompression Sickness Model Development

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command · 2021 - 2024

Perfluoromethane to Reduce Decompression Sickness

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Naval Sea Systems Command · 2021 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 1993 Ph.D.