Professor Emeritus
Aerospace Engineering
François-Xavier Bagnoud Aerospace Building 1320 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140Ph.D. (Aeronautics and Mathematics) 1957, California Institute of Technology
M. Aero. E. 1953, Cornell University
B. Engr. Phys. 1952, Cornell University
Aerodynamics, fluid mechanics, helicopter theory
Professor Messiter’s research interests have been in theoretical aerodynamics and fluid mechanics, and in applications of singular perturbation theory to complex flow problems. His publications have included studies of laminar boundary-layer interaction theory, external and internal transonic flows, supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamics, as well as shear-layer instability, turbulent boundary-layer interactions, surface waves, and problems in aeroelasticity. The citation for his election as APS Fellow mentioned in particular his asymptotic description of laminar boundary-layer interactions. Before coming to Michigan, he worked in research departments at Grumman Aircraft Corporation and Hughes Aircraft Company. In the year preceding his retirement, he was chosen as the first Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Professor.
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