From Hospitals to Hurricanes: How APL Is Using Computational Fluid Dynamics to Inform the Future of Public Health and Safety

Abstract

This article discusses how researchers at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) are using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to address public health and safety concerns. CFD, a numerical prediction tool used to simulate fluids, can aid in the design and engineering process by providing insight without the need to physically build or observe a system. Here we present two applications in the public health domain. The first application models and predicts the spread of aerosols in operating rooms in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The insight derived from this modeling will enable the design of next-generation operating rooms that offer better control of airborne contaminants. The second application focuses on modeling and evaluating the impacts of hurricanes by integrating numerical weather prediction and damage prediction modeling tools. The insight gained from these hurricane simulations enables evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of hurricane modification technology and a greater understanding of the threat of severe storms as a consequence of climate change. From hospitals to hurricanes, the modeling and simulation of fluids can enable insights to inform public health and safety.