MEP Lecture Series - From Everyday Noise to Scientific Insight: The Dynamics of a Transient Pressure Event

On March 12, 2026, the Munich Institute of Integrated Materials, Energy and Process Engineering (MEP) hosted a scientific lecture by Prof. Hans G. Hornung. The emeritus professor took the audience back to a moment from his childhood, when the impact of a falling wooden bench produced an unexpectedly loud bang. This seemingly simple situation later became the starting point for his scientific exploration of short-duration pressure events. 

In his talk, Prof. Hornung demonstrated what lies behind such a brief sound. Using dimensional analysis, analytical models, and modern numerical simulations, he explained the temporal sequences and gas-dynamic processes involved. His presentation made clear that even everyday phenomena can prove remarkably complex when examined closely. 

For the MEP, his visit was also a reunion with a figure who has shaped fluid mechanics over many decades. To mention just one of many anecdotes: eight of his papers in the Journal of Fluid Mechanics were published “as is”, without the customary critical comments from reviewers. This highly unusual process underscores the exceptional quality of his work. 

About Prof. Hans G. Hornung 

Prof. Hornung is one of the most distinguished experts in experimental fluid mechanics. He is Emeritus C. L. “Kelly” Johnson Professor of Aeronautics and served for many years as Director of the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. His scientific career also included positions at the University of Melbourne, Imperial College London, the Australian National University, and the German Aerospace Center in Göttingen. Among his major projects at Caltech are the T5 Hypervelocity Shock Tunnel, the John Lucas Adaptive-Wall Wind Tunnel, and a supersonic Ludwieg tube. His contributions to the field have earned him membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.