Companies collaborate to provide comprehensive software for turbomachinery design and analysis

Lebanon NH/Wilder VT- April 26, 2001 - Fluent Inc., the world leader of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software and services, and Concepts NREC, the leading supplier of turbomachinery design software and services, today announced the formation of a strategic partnership to provide comprehensive design and analysis software tools for turbomachinery applications. Combining Concepts NREC's world-renowned expertise in turbomachinery design with Fluent's market and technology leadership in CFD, the collaboration will offer best-in-class software tools by bundling Fluent's general purpose CFD software with Concepts NREC's Agile Engineering Design System^® software. Under the terms of the partnership, both companies will sell the bundled software.

The Agile Engineering Design System^® provides turbomachinery designers with a complete system for 3-Dimensional (3D) blade design coupled to analysis tools based on 1 Dimensional, quasi-3D, and 3D analysis models, including CFD, 3D structural analysis, and rules-based optimization. Fluent's CFD software augments the Agile system by enabling more in-depth analysis of critical elements and by providing the versatile technology required for analysis of non-blade row design issues, such as secondary cavity flows, cooling passages, inlets, and volutes. Transfer of geometry data between the two software packages is supported. The combined offering provides the world's most complete solution for design and analysis of turbomachinery systems.

"We are very enthusiastic about the collaboration with Fluent," said Dr. Ken Rosen, President of Concepts NREC. "Concepts NREC recognizes that CFD is a critical component in turbomachinery design, and we are working with Fluent to ensure that the Agile Engineering Design System^® includes the best available CFD technology. The two companies have already established a strong working relationship and we expect that our combined talents will allow us to further design standards in the turbomachinery field."

"The relationship with Concepts NREC allows Fluent to offer a comprehensive solution for turbomachinery systems," notes Dr. Ferit Boysan, President of Fluent. "While our CFD software is well-established for analysis of a proposed design, the Agile system provides designers with the tools they need to develop new design ideas using a progression of analysis models to guide their design decisions. In addition, the collaboration with Concepts NREC allows us to deepen our application expertise by aligning Fluent with a group of world-class experts in turbomachinery design issues. Fluent intends to dominate the turbomachinery CFD market and the partnership with Concepts NREC is a key part of that strategy."

About Fluent

Fluent Inc. is the world leader in the rapidly growing field of computerized design and simulation software. Its software is used to predict fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction, and related phenomena. Fluent's software products and services help engineers with detailed product development, design optimization, scale-up, and retrofitting. The software significantly reduces engineering cost while improving the final design of products in applications ranging from design of electronic components and systems to automotive engineering, and from combustion system design to process plant troubleshooting.

Fluent's headquarters are located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA, with offices throughout the United States. Its European headquarters are located in Sheffield, England with additional offices in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Sweden. Its Asian headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. Fluent's software is also available around the world through joint ventures, partnerships, and distributors in Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Czech Republic, and most European countries. Additional information on Fluent's products can be obtained on the world wide web at www.fluent.com

About Concepts NREC

Concepts NREC is the world's leading independent, full-service turbomachinery design and development organization. For nearly a half century, Concepts NREC provides manufacturers, users, government agencies, and the engineering community with technology, tools, services, and products that have met their needs, achieved their goals, and helped develop and produce some of the world's most advanced turbomachinery products. Concepts NREC can provide all the resources required to develop complete solutions from concept through detailed engineering, prototype production, and product manufacturing. The Agile Engineering Design System^® developed by Concepts NREC integrates the complete engineering process through a complementary suite of tools and programs for design, analysis, manufacturing, and assembly. Acquiring these capabilities through a single source ensures design integrity by eliminating the cumulative risk of separately sourcing phases of development. Concepts NREC is headquartered in Wilder, Vermont, USA, with a production facility located in Woburn, Massachusetts, USA. Concepts NREC has employees or representatives located throughout the world. Please contact Concepts NREC at sales@conceptsnrec.com or visit our website at www.conceptsnrec.com for more information.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer Correa
Fluent Inc.
10 Cavendish Court
Lebanon, NH 03766
(603) 643-2600 Ext. 668
jrc@fluent.com

Turbomachinery Design & Analysis from Fluent and Concepts NREC

Agile Engineering Design System is a registered trademark of Concepts ETI, Inc.