The International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics is a biennial academic conference. The symposia are a forum for the presentation of recent advances in the field of rarefied gas dynamics. Research presented encompasses applications of space, materials, and propulsion, as well as the basic physics of molecular interactions, gas surface interactions, kinetic theory, astronomical observations, gas transport, multi-phase flows, combustion, non-equilibrium hypersonic gas dynamics, and plasma processing. The first symposium was held in 1958 in Nice, France. Since that time, the symposia have been organized in various countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
The Symposium gathers scientists from several disciplines to discuss basic science and technological applications in the following areas:
- Boltzmann and related equations: mathematical properties of the Boltzmann equation, proofs of existence of solutions in particular cases, model kinetic equations
- Monte Carlo methods and numerical solutions
- Moment methods
- Experimental methods
- Gas-surface interactions
- Aerospace. Examples include high speed flows, shock waves, nozzle expansions, high altitude aerodynamics.
- Jets and plumes
- Internal flows and vacuum systems
- Reactive gas dynamics
- Rarefied plasmas
- MEMs and NEMs
- Granular flows
- Porous media
Since the first Symposium, where Harold Grad was one of the lecturers, the RGD Symposia are recognized as the principal forum for the presentation of recent advances in the fields associated with Rarefied Gas Dynamics. It has consistently attracted important papers from technical leaders such as Nobelists John Fenn and Ilya Prigogine. Other luminaries have included Lloyd Thomas, Graeme Bird, E.P. Muntz, J.P. Toennies, Y.L. Klimontovich, Carlo Cercignani, Berni Alder, A.V. Bobylev, Francois Golse, Y. Sone, and many more.