Professor in aerospace engineering presented with Auburn Author Award
Published: Apr 20, 2022 8:30 AM
By Joe McAdory
Joe Majdalani, professor and Francis Chair of Excellence in aerospace engineering, relished the opportunity to co-author the popular McGraw-Hill textbook “Viscous Fluid Flow.” On April 13, he was recognized for his efforts.
Majdalani was presented with the Auburn Author Award by the Graduate School and Auburn University Libraries for co-authoring the textbook’s fourth edition, published in 2021. The award, presented by Dean George Flowers at the Ralph B. Draughon Library CMD auditorium, is offered to outstanding graduate-level faculty or staff who have published a book-length scholarly work.
“There was quite a bit of innovation that went into the development of this textbook, and it took several years of hard work,” said Majdalani, who directs the Advanced Propulsion Research Laboratory at Auburn. “I am so thankful to those who have helped me. Earning this award from Auburn and my colleagues means a lot to me.”
“Viscous Fluid Flow,” originally authored by Frank White in 1973, is among the most widely used and cited engineering textbooks worldwide. In the fourth edition, Majdalani streamlines the nomenclature and adds PowerPoint slides, 128 new exercise problems, 200 new references, a simplified momentum-integral formulation, and seven new appendices that better prepare instructors and students to teach and learn the material.
“The reason why I have always loved this textbook is because it is absolutely encyclopedic in nature,” he said. “‘Viscous Fluid Flow’ is truly a convenient one-stop shop where any engineer or scientist can find most equations and solutions to important problems in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics. When I was given a project to tackle as a doctoral student, I often referred to it. And throughout my career, I have cited it extensively. It is a tremendous honor to co-author a textbook with professor White, the best-selling author of fluid mechanics textbooks across the globe.”
Majdalani noted that during the revision process, his team uncovered a “multitude” of new breakthroughs and solutions to problems and paradoxes in aerodynamics and fluid mechanics that had eluded scientists for over 100 years. “These include solving the 1921 Pohlhausen polynomial paradox and the 1908 Blasius non-linear equation analytically, as well as the 1883 water hammer problem that was thought to be impossible to solve.
“None of this would have been remotely possible were it not for the support of my amazing group of research associates and doctoral students,” he added.
Especially one colleague ... the late Li-Jun Xuan, who worked as Majdalani’s postdoc until his passing in 2020. “Li-Jun played a key role in helping me revise the book and was an absolute genius in fluid mechanics. His beautiful smile will be forever missed.”
Media Contact: , jem0040@auburn.edu, 334.844.3447
Auburn University Graduate School Dean George Flowers, left, presented the Auburn Author Award to Dr. Joe Majdalani during a ceremony at the Draughon Library CMD auditorium on April 13.
