The origin of FLUCOME
“FLUCOME” is the abbreviation for the series of international conferences dedicated to FLUid COntrol, MEasurement, and visualization. The first FLUCOME conference was held in Tokyo at the National Education Hall in 1985, organized by Professor Yasuki Nakayama of Tokai University. The conference has since been devoted to exchanging and sharing cutting-edge knowledge in fluid technology worldwide. Committees from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Japan Fluid Power Association (now the Japan Fluid Power System Society), and the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers have supported the event.
Approximately 40 years ago, fluid measurement and fluid power technology differed significantly from today’s advancements. During that time, semiconductor technology was underdeveloped, and fluid motions were used to amplify signals and perform logical operations. At that time, FLUCOME played a leading role in a research field known as “fluidics.” A notable contribution from Professor Nakayama was an automatic sprinkler system for the Shinkansen (Japan’s high-speed rail system), which operated without moving parts and contributed to smooth Shinkansen operations in snowy areas.
As semiconductor technology advanced and computing became widely utilized, ushering in what is often called the Second Industrial Revolution, the impact on the subject matter of the conference was substantial. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technology, which uses computers to trace particle trajectories, blossomed. The Visualization Society of Japan, a general incorporated association, became active in promoting not only flow visualization but also the visualization of various phenomena, giving rise to a broader interest in visualization concepts across the field.
History of FLUCOME International Conferences
Since the inception of FLUCOME, 40 years have passed, providing an opportunity to reflect on its history.
The first conference, as mentioned, was held at the National Education Hall in Tokyo, which has since been demolished and designated a historical site. The second FLUCOME was hosted by Professor R.F. Boucher at the University of Sheffield in the UK. During the research presentations, Professor Boucher’s research team discussed the applications of fluidics to nuclear power plants. The third FLUCOME took place in San Francisco in 1991, hosted by Professor R.Woods at Hotel Envacallo. The fourth edition was hosted in Toulouse, France by Professor Hebrard. The fifth conference was held in 1997 at the Hayama International Conference Center, led by Professor K. Tsuchiya of Waseda University, and the sixth in Saskatoon, Canada, by Professor Lanneville. The seventh FLUCOME took place in Naples, Italy, hosted by the renowned aeronautics expert Professor G.M. Carlomagno, followed by the eighth edition in Chengdu, China, in 2005. Originally scheduled for Beijing, the location was changed to Chengdu due to the SARS outbreak. Professor T. Kagawa presented a keynote lecture on isothermal pressure vessels. The ninth conference was held in 2007 in Florida, hosted by Professor C. J. Chen, while the tenth was hosted by Professor S. Leonov at Moscow University in 2009. Taiwan’s Chihlee University hosted the 11th conference in 2011, followed by the 12th edition in Nara, Japan, in 2013, led by Professor T. Kagawa of Tokyo Institute of Technology. The 13th FLUCOME took place at Qatar University in the Middle East in 2015, the 14th in Chicago, USA, in 2017, led by Professor T. Corke, and the 15th in Naples, Italy, in 2019.
16th FLUCOME in 2023
Over its history, FLUCOME has successfully held 16 conferences across locations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Italy, China, and Russia. With a strong foundation in history and culture of fluid mechanics, FLUCOME has fostered an academic atmosphere rich in international exchange, establishing itself as a leading conference in the field of fluid technology.
In October 26–30, 2023, the 16th FLUCOME conference was held in Beijing, China, hosted by Beihang University. The event attracted 210 scholars from 18 countries and included a diverse academic program with 9 special lectures, 12 keynote speeches, and 132 oral presentations. The conference sessions covered fluid control, fluid measurement, and visualization, addressing traditional fluid topics such as jets, multiphase flows, and laminar and turbulent flows. A major focus this year was on the intersection of artificial intelligence with existing fluid technologies, reflecting a modern approach to fluid research and showcasing the precision expertise, emerging creativity, and innovation of contemporary scholars in the field.
For FLUCOME 2023, Professor S. Ito from Kogakuin University represented Japan as the sole Japanese participant. Although Professor S. Ito is not a JFPS (Japan Fluid Power Society) member, he shared a photo taken with Professor Wang during the keynote session, marking the Japanese presence at the conference.
Looking to the future
FLUCOME has significantly contributed to transcending the boundaries between various academic societies and fostering exchanges with research institutions worldwide, focusing on fluid measurement, control, and visualization.
The Japan Fluid Power System Society (JFPS) is also planning an international conference, and we hope that leveraging the FLUCOME network will further promote the development of the society. Finally, the 17th FLUCOME International Conference is planned for 2025, to be held in Delft, The Netherlands.