Flow Science's 30th Anniversary

30 Years of Improving the World Through Accurate Flow Modeling

In 2010, Flow Science entered into its 30th year of offering solutions in computational fluid dynamics (or, as a flyer from an early seminar announced it “Numerical Fluid Dynamics”). In addition to its flagship software, FLOW-3D, Flow Science has expanded its product range to include FLOW-3D/MP, the distributed-memory version of FLOW-3D, FLOW-3D Cast, a specialized version for casting users, and FLOW-3D ThermoSET, the first CAE package aimed specifically at solving the complex and unique problems surrounding the development and production of products using thermosetting resins. Flow Science also provides consulting and development services.

Founded in 1980 (read the original statement of purpose), by Dr. C.W. "Tony" Hirt as a spin-off from his work at Los Alamos National Labs, the company has grown substantially in size and reach. Flow Science has expanded into China, with its subsidiary Flow Science Software Trading Co., Ltd, and is represented in over 20 countries around the world.

Happy Birthday, Flow Science! CFD = Cake, Food and Drinks

Turning 30 is not as bad as it sounds. On the official anniversary of Flow Science's 30th Anniversary, Friday, October 1, 2010, Flow Science held an Open House to celebrate improving the world through accurate flow modeling for 30 years with Flow Science employees and their families, business associates and customers in the area. Browse the Open House Album at the FLOW-3D Facebook page.

Flow Science 30th Anniversary Flow Simulation Contest!

Winner of the 4th Flow Science 30th Anniversary Flow Simulation Contest

Mario Oertel, Hydraulic Engineering Section, Civil Engineering Department of the University of Wuppertal in Wuppertal, Germany. Read the winning entry, Do our design guidelines represent the art of nature? Simulating cross-bar block ramps with FLOW-3D.

Winner of the 3rd Flow Science 30th Anniversary Flow Simulation Contest

Matthias Haselbauer, RMD Consult, Munich, Germany and Carlos Barreira Martinez, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Read the winning entry, Turbulent structures as success criterion for fish passages.

Winner of the 2nd Flow Science 30th Anniversary Flow Simulation Contest

Ying-Chieh Lin, Hervé Capart, and Der-Liang Young of Department of Civil Engineering and Hydrotech Research Institute / National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan! Read the winning entry, Modeling Local Bridge Scour during Flood Event.

Winner of the 1st Flow Science 30th Anniversary Flow Simulation Contest

Armen A. Girgidov of JSC The B.E.Vedeneev VNIIG in Saint-Petersburg, Russia! Read the winning entry, Recommendations for Type and Construction of the Nizhne-Zejskaya HPP Spillway.

Remembrance of Things Past - 30 Decades of Flow Simulation

December 1996: Flow Science employees surprise
Dr. Hirt on his birthday with a hike.


Michael Barkhudarov, now VP of R & D, in the early
days of Flow Science. He has since gotten a computer.

Flow Science Nostalgia

For a blast from the past, go to the FLOW-3D Facebook page to see photos from the early days of Flow Science.

Browse the third album: 2001-2010: Turning 30

Browse the second album: 1991-2000: FLOW-3D Retrospective

Browse the first album: 1980-1990: The First CFDecade

Read a FLOW-3D Newsletter from the Early Days

The first FLOW-3D issues of the News were printed as 9" x 6" color booklets and mailed out to all of Flow Science's customers. The First Quarter 1996 issue featured an exciting announcement in retrospect, "FLOW-3D on PCs." Other articles focused on the Rapid Solidification Shrinkage model, the new graphical interface and the release of Version 7.0. We've scanned in this CFD artifact that you can download and read it for yourself.

FLOW-3D Memory Lane

Do you have Flow Science memories that you'd like to share with us? Send us an email or post on the FLOW-3D Facebook page.

Bookmark our Flow Science 30th Anniversary page

Stay tuned for more Flow Science 30th Anniversary special events!