The origins of turbulent ?ow and the transition from laminar to turbulent ?ow are the most important unsolved problems of ?uid mechanics and aerodynamics. - sides being a fundamental question of ?uid mechanics, there are numerous app- cations relying on information regarding transition location and the details of the subsequent turbulent ?ow. For example, the control of transition to turbulence is - pecially important in (1) skin-friction reduction of energy ef?cient aircraft, (2) the performance of heat exchangers and diffusers, (3) propulsion requirements for - personic aircraft, and (4) separation control. While considerable progress has been made in the science of laminar to turbulent transition over the last 30 years, the c- tinuing increase in computer power as well as new theoretical developments are now revolutionizing the area. It is now starting to be possible to move from simple 1D eigenvalue problems in canonical ?ows to global modes in complex ?ows, all - companied by accurate large-scale direct numerical simulations (DNS). Here, novel experimental techniques such as modern particle image velocimetry (PIV) also have an important role. Theoretically the in?uence of non-normality on the stability and transition is gaining importance, in particular for complex ?ows. At the same time the enigma of transition in the oldest ?ow investigated, Reynolds pipe ?ow tran- tion experiment, is regaining attention. Ideas from dynamical systems together with DNS and experiments are here giving us new insights.

A detailed look at some of the more modern issues of hydrodynamic stability, including transient growth, eigenvalue spectra, secondary instability. It presents analytical results and numerical simulations, linear and selected nonlinear stability methods. By including classical results as well as recent developments in the field of hydrodynamic stability and transition, the book can be used as a textbook for an introductory, graduate-level course in stability theory or for a special-topics fluids course. It is equally of value as a reference for researchers in the field of hydrodynamic stability theory or with an interest in recent developments in fluid dynamics. Stability theory has seen a rapid development over the past decade, this book includes such new developments as direct numerical simulations of transition to turbulence and linear analysis based on the initial-value problem.

A detailed look at some of the more modern issues of hydrodynamic stability, including transient growth, eigenvalue spectra, secondary instability. It presents analytical results and numerical simulations, linear and selected nonlinear stability methods. By including classical results as well as recent developments in the field of hydrodynamic stability and transition, the book can be used as a textbook for an introductory, graduate-level course in stability theory or for a special-topics fluids course. It is equally of value as a reference for researchers in the field of hydrodynamic stability theory or with an interest in recent developments in fluid dynamics. Stability theory has seen a rapid development over the past decade, this book includes such new developments as direct numerical simulations of transition to turbulence and linear analysis based on the initial-value problem.

The origins of turbulent ?ow and the transition from laminar to turbulent ?ow are the most important unsolved problems of ?uid mechanics and aerodynamics. - sides being a fundamental question of ?uid mechanics, there are numerous app- cations relying on information regarding transition location and the details of the subsequent turbulent ?ow. For example, the control of transition to turbulence is - pecially important in (1) skin-friction reduction of energy ef?cient aircraft, (2) the performance of heat exchangers and diffusers, (3) propulsion requirements for - personic aircraft, and (4) separation control. While considerable progress has been made in the science of laminar to turbulent transition over the last 30 years, the c- tinuing increase in computer power as well as new theoretical developments are now revolutionizing the area. It is now starting to be possible to move from simple 1D eigenvalue problems in canonical ?ows to global modes in complex ?ows, all - companied by accurate large-scale direct numerical simulations (DNS). Here, novel experimental techniques such as modern particle image velocimetry (PIV) also have an important role. Theoretically the in?uence of non-normality on the stability and transition is gaining importance, in particular for complex ?ows. At the same time the enigma of transition in the oldest ?ow investigated, Reynolds pipe ?ow tran- tion experiment, is regaining attention. Ideas from dynamical systems together with DNS and experiments are here giving us new insights.