Direct Monte Carlo methods in nonequilibrium kinetics

In this paper we review our work in the field of simulation of nonequilibrium molecular flows by means of the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo method. The DSMC method is introduced and its peculiar features with respect to nonequilibrium modeling are discussed. Successful application of the method has been demonstrated for different situations where limitations and results will be presented. (C) 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.