User:Das.Rauschen/International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics

The International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics is a biennial academic conference. The symposia are a forum for the presentation of recent advances in the field of rarefied gas dynamics. Research presented encompasses applications of space, materials, and propulsion, as well as the basic physics of molecular interactions, gas surface interactions, kinetic theory, astronomical observations, gas transport, multi-phase flows, combustion, non-equilibrium hypersonic gas dynamics, and plasma processing. The first symposium was held in 1958 in Nice, France. Since that time, the symposia have been organized in various countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Origin and evolution
Rarefied gas dynamics arose originally as the study of gas flows where the average distance between two subsequent collisions of a molecule (the so-called mean free path) is not negligible in comparison with the flow characteristic spatial dimension. In this case the gas cannot be considered as a continuum medium and the Boltzmann transport equation must be used to understand the physics of the system. In addition, due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio, the details of the gas interaction with the limiting (solid or liquid) boundaries gain increasing importance as compared to standard fluid dynamics.

It is worth noting that rarefaction (or kinetic) effects become important either when the density of the gas decreases (as in the high-altitude terrestrial atmosphere, or in vacuum technology) or when the system characteristic dimension decreases (as in MEMs or when strong gradients are present, like in  shock waves).

Prompted by the problems raised by the space exploration of the early 60s, when the study of the Boltzmann equation was in its infancy, the International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics was established and its first symposium was held in Nice, France, in 1958.

Since then, the conference has been the place to discuss problems related to the study of the mathematical properties of the Boltzmann equation, the development of model kinetic equations that could be more easily solved while providing accurate approximations to the physics of interest, algorithms for the numerical solution of the Boltzmann equation (DSMC, spectral solvers, moment methods) and all related applications.

As mentioned, initially the latter included aerospace, aerosols, MEMs and vacuum technology. Following the evolution of the understanding of the Boltzmann equation and the significant development of methods for its numerical solution, Boltzmann and Boltzmann-like kinetic equations have found application in very distant fields like charge carrier dynamics in semiconductors, dense gases, granular flows, porous media or car traffic.

Topics
The Symposium gathers scientists from several disciplines to discuss basic science and technological applications in the following areas:


 * Boltzmann and related equations: mathematical properties of the Boltzmann equation, proofs of existence of solutions in particular cases, model kinetic equations
 * Monte Carlo methods and numerical solutions
 * Moment methods
 * Experimental methods
 * Gas-surface interactions
 * Aerospace. Examples include high speed flows, shock waves, nozzle expansions, high altitude aerodynamics.
 * Jets and plumes
 * Internal flows and vacuum systems
 * Reactive gas dynamics
 * Rarefied plasmas
 * MEMs and NEMs
 * Granular flows
 * Porous media

Proceedings
Proceedings containing refereed and invited articles are published for every Symposium and form a concentrated reference source for most work in the field of Rarefied Gas Dynamics since 1960.

Plenary lectures
Three plenary lectures are held during the symposium: the Harold Grad Lecture was inaugurated at the 17th symposium to present recent developments from a premier theoretician. The Lloyd B. Thomas Memorial Lecture was established at the 19th symposium for researchers who have made outstanding contributions in the field of experiments in rarefied gas phenomena. The Graeme A. Bird Lecture, established at the 28thsymposium, is dedicated to advanced numerical procedures for rarefied flow simulations.

Organisation
explain basic organization (self-organized) and the role of the advisory committee

Board of honour
In recognition of services to the Rarefied Gas Dynamics Symposia, retiring members of the International Advisory Committee become members of the Board of Honour. Someone who has not served on the Advisory Committee, but who has made extraordinary contributions to the Symposia, also may be named to the Board of Honour. , the Board of Honour includes 22 members.