Fluid Mechanics Research in 1986

A framework on fluid mechanics research related to bio-sciences and geo-sciences is outlined along with a discussion on the science of flows. For the 1980's, the growth and the coupling of computational and experimental fluid mechanics are anticipated. Fluid engineering will continue to be influenced by energy and environmental problems. There will continue to be new discoveries and inventions which impact on fluids research, but anticipating these is the most dicey undertaking of all. The latterday bulbous ship bow was perhaps only a rediscovery of a feature the Romans incorporated into their war galleys, but its modern exploitation required extensive fluids research. The direction fluids research takes will continue to be heavily influenced by societal needs, and underlying every application there are basic fluid phenomena which are not fully understood or adequately formulated.