In an exclusive wide-ranging interview with World
Scientific, Chiang C Mei, Donald & Martha Harleman
Professor, previously Head of the MIT Engineering
and Environmental Mechanics Group, and
author of the first volume of our top-
selling book series, Advanced Series on
Ocean Engineering, shared his thoughts
and insights in the field of ocean and
coastal engineering.
You are internationally recognized
for your many contributions to
applied mechanics in ocean and
coastal engineering. What current
new research(es) are you working
on now? What are MIT's strengths
in ocean engineering?
Recently I have been working with my students
on theoretical problems of wave-seabed interaction. One of them is
the mechanism of sand bar formation under sea waves. We are also
investigating the dynamics of waves as affected by randomness and
nonlinearity. Randomness in sea depth causes significant attenuation
of waves by incoherent scattering, similar to the phenomenon of
localization in physics. Randomness and nonlinearity in waves induce
long-period oscillations in harbors when attacked by short wind waves,
etc. At present we are also returning to the problem of extracting energy
from sea waves.
The emphasis of my group has been in developing theories both
for physical understanding and engineering predictions. We use ideas
and tools from the broad fields of fluid mechanics, physics and applied
mathematics.
What are the current hot topics in ocean and coastal
engineering, and the outlook of this field in the next 5-10 years?
On fundamental issues: Understanding and prediction of steep waves,
interaction of waves with atmosphere, shorelines, etc. On applications:
Effects of waves on man-made structures, on the spread of pollutants
and on marine life, how to extract energy from waves, etc.
What can we all learn from last year's tsunami disaster? Any
precautionary measures that countries or governments can
take to avert another similar disaster?
We know more about tsunami propagation in deep ocean than its behaviour and devastating effects on the shore. More efforts are needed not only in the prediction of tsunamis but also of earthquakes. To reduce damages by tsunamis it is important to establish international monitoring and warning networks, aided by improving the preparedness of population in tsunami-prone areas (rapid response to warning, evacuation, etc.).
What draws you to your research interests in coastal engineering, and how has it enabled you to make a career out of it?
Somewhat accidentally. I got a faculty job at MIT after my PhD degree, and was exposed to coastal engineering problems from other colleagues. In the past half-century, coastal and ocean engineering has attracted scholars from a variety of backgrounds (engineering, physics, oceanography, mathematics). The protection and exploration of ocean resources, and dealing with ocean hazards, make the field constantly challenging.
With bright students and stimulating colleagues, it is hard not to make a living out of it.
What motivated you to write the book, The Applied Dynamics of Ocean Surface Waves (Advanced Series on Ocean Engineering, Vol 1) and the expanded version, Theory and Applications of Ocean Surface Waves (in 2 Parts)?
To inform students and researchers of the problems, the theoretical tool for solving them, and to bridge theoretical science and coastal/ocean engineering.
You have received numerous accolades for your research contributions including election to the National Academy of Engineering. What do you hope to achieve through such awards?
No one in science works alone. I wish I could share these honors with my co-workers.
Any intention to write more books for publications?
Yes, specifics to be announced later.
To celebrate the journal 
The Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (AOGS) 2nd Annual Meeting in Singapore co-organized by World Scientific and AOGS featured more than 1000 presentations and attracted over 800 participants from 43 countries.
Chiang C Mei on Ocean and Coastal Engineering
