MIT Professor Emeritus John Meyer, a nuclear engineer who spent more than 25 years at MIT until his retirement in 2001, passed away Jan. 11. He was 76.
An expert in numerical methods in engineering analysis of nuclear power systems, Meyer introduced models for transient analysis of coolant flow in reactors that could be handled by the limited computer capability emerging in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Meyer joined MIT's Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering in 1975 to research mechanical analysis of nuclear plant components. He helped develop quick simulation models of pressurized water reactors and boiling water reactors that reflected the effects of many important flow and power variables, and could be used to study a variety of normal and near-normal operating conditions.
During his time at MIT, he also helped develop an automated control logic for operation of the MIT reactors.
Meyer is survived by his wife, Grace, four children and 13 grandchildren.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on February 13, 2008 (download PDF).
