Flow Science's 30th Anniversary

30 Years of Improving the World Through Accurate Flow Modeling

Flow Science is in 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, and FLOW-3D Cast, a specialized version for casting users. In July, Flow Science released 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.

Be a Part of History - Enter the Final Flow Science 30th Anniversary Simulation Contest!

Flow Science is announcing its 4th and final 30th anniversary contest. Be featured in our next Application Note and win an iPad if you are selected as the winner of our next 30th Anniversary Simulation Contest. All entrants will win a $US 10 gift card for amazon.com or iTunes. Read the Contest Rules and Submit your Entry.

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

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

Remembrance of Things Past

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


Michael Barkhudrov, 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 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!