25 Years of Particle Image Velocimetry in Aerodynamics

Abstract

Welcome to the Symposium „25 years of Particle Image Velocimetry in Aerodynamics”! It all started in September 1984 when a group of researchers from Oldenburg shipped their highenergy ruby laser across a bumpy highway to Göttingen. Our aim was to test how the novel technique of PIV would perform when applied to a wind tunnel flow at the DLR facility. No one could then anticipate the impressive development of this method into a powerful routine tool in experimental fluid dynamics. Now, after a quarter of a century there is a perfect occasion to commemorate this event. It is time to document the various ways research and development took, identify highlights and failures and study the factors that influenced the development of this technical tool. We are thankful that so many colleagues who were involved in PIV in the past quarter of a century responded to our call for participation. Thus we can provide a substantial program of ambitious presentations. We will review the historic development, will hear about the state‐of‐the‐art of various PIV versions and their applications and participate in an analysis of the parameters that influenced the development of our technique. This retrospective will also give us a chance to better appreciate our own role in history. And last not least will the recollection of former mutual experiences deepen personal friendships that grew during the many collaborations and meetings.