James O. Wilkes Arthur F. Thurnau Professor Emeritus 3146A Dow (734) 764-3378 wilkes@umich.edu Short Bio

Biographical Information

Professor Wilkes received his bachelor's degree from Cambridge in 1954 and his master's and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1956 and 1963, respectively. All degrees were in chemical engineering. He was a faculty member at Cambridge for four years before coming permanently to the University of Michigan in 1960. He was an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor from 1989-1992, and Assistant Dean for Admissions in the College of Engineering from 1990-1994. He retired from the University of Michigan in 2000 and a significant undergraduate scholarship fund has been established in his honor.

James Wilkes, former chairman of the department, has interests in digital computing, numerical methods, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. He is coauthor of two books published by John Wiley & Sons: Applied Numerical Methods (1969), and Digital Computing and Numerical Methods (1973). More recently, Prentice Hall has published his text, Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers, Second Edition, with Microfluidics and CFD (2006).

Research Interests:

Numerical methods and their solution of engineering problems, with applications such as the underground storage of natural gas, injection molding of fiber-reinforced polymers, and leveling of paint films. Solution of partial differential equations by finite-element and finite-difference methods.

Professor Wilkes' hobbies include reading, gardening, tennis, organ-playing, and hiking in North Wales and the American West. He is currently editing his grandfather's manuscript Place-Names of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Last Updated: July 2007