John Ockendon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Ockendon
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Terracotta bust of Ockendon at St Catherine's College, Oxford
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| Born |
John Richard Ockendon
October 13, 1940 |
| Education | Dulwich College |
| Alma mater | University of Oxford (MA, DPhil) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Awards | IMA Gold Medal (2006) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Applied mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Oxford |
| Thesis | Some problems in fluid dynamics (1965) |
| Doctoral advisor | Alan B. Tayler |
| Doctoral students |
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John Richard Ockendon (born in 1940) is a famous mathematician. He is known for using math to solve real-world problems. He especially focused on how liquids and gases move, which is called fluid dynamics.
John Ockendon is a professor at the University of Oxford. He is also a retired but still connected member (an Emeritus Fellow) at St Catherine's College, Oxford. He helped start and lead the Oxford Centre for Collaborative Applied Mathematics (OCCAM).
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Early Life and Education
John Ockendon went to Dulwich College for his early education. Later, he studied at the University of Oxford. In 1965, he earned a special degree called a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil). This degree is one of the highest you can get. His research was about fluid dynamics, which is the study of how fluids (like water or air) move.
Solving Real-World Problems with Math
John Ockendon's work often involved fluid mechanics. This is a branch of physics that studies how fluids behave. He looked at things like how air moves around very fast objects (hypersonic aerodynamics). He also studied how liquids flow very slowly (creeping flow).
He also explored how liquids slosh around in containers. His research helped understand how fluids move through spongy materials. It also helped with designing ships and understanding how fluids separate from surfaces.
Math in Industry
John Ockendon was very good at using math to solve problems for companies. He worked on new ways to design lenses for glasses. He also helped improve how fibers are made. His work even helped with making glass and understanding how tiny electronic parts (semiconductors) work.
He also studied how heat and other materials move. He looked at how waves travel and how things bounce when they hit each other.
To help mathematicians and companies work together, he started special meetings. These "Study Groups with Industry" happened every year from 1972 to 1989.
Awards and Recognition
John Ockendon has received many honors for his important work.
- In 1999, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom.
- In 2006, he was given the IMA Gold Medal. This award comes from the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
About His Life
John Ockendon is married to Hilary Ockendon. She is also a mathematician and has worked with him on some projects.
When he is not working on math, John Ockendon enjoys several hobbies. He likes bird watching. He also collects old Hornby-Dublo model trains. Another hobby is working on old sports cars.
