AWARDEE OF TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENCES PRIZE

CAO HESUN

Abstract

Cao Hesun, a  educator and a mechanical scientist, was born in Jiangyin County, Jiangsu Province in 1912. After graduating from the Electric Engineering College, Shanghai Communication University in 1934, he studied abroad at Dulin University in Italy, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering.  After receiving his doctorate in 1936, he then returned to his country  in 1937.  He was a professor at an extension of the University of Chongqing Communication University; the Shanghai Communication University; the Military Engineering College; and the National University of Defence Technology. He served as the dean of Shanghai Communication University, the vice dean of Military Engineering College, and the vice President of National University of Defence Technology. Mr. Cao was selected as the Academician of International Aeronautical and Astronautical Institute in 1985. He was also the representative of the third and the sixth session of the Chinese National People's Congress, the     committee member of the second session, and standing committee member of the sixth session of the Chinese People's  Political Consultative Conference. In addition to these positions,  Mr Cao also held the positions  of standing trustee of Chinese   Mechanical Society, the vice director of the standing trustees of Chinese Aeronautical Society and the director of the Chinese  Aeronautical and Astronautical Society.
Cao Hesun was instrumental in building, organizing,  and leading the development of teaching administration for many years. Under his leadership, the Senior Mechanical Class of Chengdu Mechanical Academy of the Airforce and the Aeronautical Department of Chongqing Communication University were established.He also participated in the  preparation of the development of Military Engineering College  and National University of Defence Technology.  His  contributions were important to the establishment of the teaching methods and organization and to the amplification of  teaching rules and regulations of these colleges and universities.
 Cao Hesun was engaged in scientific research on  theoretical aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, and hypersonic  aerodynamics.  Under his leadship the doctoral advisor group  was the first to set up domestic research on the numerical value  of hypersonic chemical nonequilibrium flow.  This group also  was among the first to begin the research on calculating fluid   mechanics parallel algorithm and direct analogy method of   superaerodynamics and developed their own research methods   for this area.
He also wrote Fluid Mechanics, Mechanism and Aeroelasticity, edited An English-Chinese Dictionary on Aeronautical and Astronautical Technology, and was one of the editors of the Aeronautical and Astronautical and Mechanics  articles of the Chinese Encyclopedia. In the past 10 years, his   doctoral advisor group has trained 10 doctoral students and   more than 50 master students, and published over 200 academic theses. Seven Second-Class Awards on advancement of science and technology at the ministry level were granted to his doctoral   advisor group.