MIT Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering

NSE Professor Emeritus John Meyer

(December 17, 1931 - January  11, 2008)

John Meyer was an expert in numerical methods in engineering analysis of nuclear power systems, having been responsible for the methods developed for that purpose at the Bettis Nuclear Naval laboratory. Among his notable achievements was the introduction of models for transient analysis of coolant flow in reactors that could be handled by the limited computer capability emerging in the late fifties and early 1960s.

John Meyer joined the department in 1975 to be in charge of instruction and research concerning mechanical analysis of nuclear plant components.  He took over a new graduate course on the subject of Structural Mechanics in Nuclear Power Technology which was introduced only the year before by visiting Prof. W. Yeager from Germany.  He developed the course into a joint course with several other engineering departments.

His contributions to the mathematical methods continued with development of quick simulation models of PWR and BWR reactors that reflect the effects of many important flow and power variables, and can be used to study a variety of normal and near-normal operating conditions, and can complete the calculations fast enough for potential use in a reactor control room or in a training facility. He contributed to development of an automated control logic for operation of the MIT reactors.

He retired from MIT in 2001 and moved to Pittsburgh to be near his family. He is survived by his wife, Grace,  their children Susan, Karl, Karen and Thomas, and thirteen grandchildren.