Simple finite element method in vorticity formulation for incompressible flows

A very simple and eÆcient nite element method is introduced for two and three dimensional viscous incompressible ows using the vorticity formulation. The method relies on recasting traditional nite element method in the spirit of the high order accurate nite di erence methods introduced by the authors in [10]. Optimal accuracy of arbitrary order can be achieved using standard nite element or spectral elements. The method is convectively stable and is particularly suited for moderate to high Reynolds number ows.