JPF’s research into the complex interactions taking place during the refining of crude oil led to a Ph.D. in computational materials physics. This work used Monte Carlo simulations to model, at the molecular level, the forces between the constituents of crude oil [hydrocarbons] and the porous minerals [zeolites] through which they are passed during the refining process. JPF thus brought to the metocean sciences his experience in the development of advanced algorithms in support of the accurate interpretation, understanding and visualisation of scientific data.
During his previous employment in academia JPF wrote and taught several scientific programming courses to both second and final year university students. These courses required a complete understanding of programming concepts and an ability to explain them to students with no previous experience in scientific programming. The course notes and exercises developed by JPF presented the students with a difficult but rewarding challenge which allowed them to develop their programming skills.
As a metocean advisor JPF uses his 15-year’s experience to develop design and operational criteria using ISO19901-1-compliant methods, as well as providing ad-hoc and in-house support to a variety of clients.