Leader of small team working on development of hybrid propulsion systems for air mobility

Instructor for Certificate Course: Exhaust Plume Analysis in the IR and VisualDeveloped methods for supersonic turbulent jet flow and heat transferCFD analysis for performance of sub/supersonic/hypersonic propulsion systemsDesign/Analysis high-recovery external & mixed compression inletsDeveloped Monte Carlo Ray-Trace tool for predicting light scattering from cloudsExperimental/Analytical investigation of sub-micron aerosols (measurement and prediction of scattering)Developed novel human visual detection modelArchitect of Infrared and visual electromagnetic radiation transfer tools and methods

Responsible for IR signature prediction and development/validation of state-of-the-art modeling tools to predict combined surface and exhaust plume radiation from gas turbine propulsion systems. Development and validation cycle with model-scale engine data completed for new Pratt & Whitney Standard-Work code.Software applied in design efforts on advanced engine programs allowing prediction with complex surface treatments and Plume/Hot-Parts interaction effects for dramatic signature reduction.

Responsible for IR signature prediction and development/validation of state-of-the-art modeling tools to predict combined surface and exhaust plume radiation from gas turbine propulsion systems. Development and validation cycle with model-scale engine data completed for new Pratt & Whitney Standard-Work code.Software applied in design efforts on advanced engine programs allowing prediction with complex surface treatments and Plume/Hot-Parts interaction effects for dramatic signature reduction.

Completed first phase experiment and analysis to resolve combustion chamber heat transfer deficit problem. Successfully completed experimental effort to establish fundamental heat transfer performance of enhancement technique in high Reynolds number flow regime well outside of range in open literature.Results enabled scale-up of the highly successful Pratt & Whitney RL10 (to RL60.RLX growth versions) by exceeding heat transfer requirements for expander cycle heat flux closure. Substantial weight and cost savings were realized with this enhancement through elimination of regen.-nozzle.

Supported experimental activities by NASA and Boeing related to inlet/engine stability critical to safe and economically viable implementation of gas turbine propulsion for commercial supersonic flight. Time accurate modeling of disturbances including interactions of inlet unstart and compressor surge/stall.Enabled modeling of large amplitude high frequency inlet/engine interactions (including inlet-unstart and engine surge/stall) by successfully coupling the NASA supersonic inlet dynamics code, LAPIN, with the UTRC/Pratt & Whitney dynamic compression-system code, hspeed_nl, (2D unsteady Euler).

Performed CFD analysis of hypersonic scramjet propulsion system in support of Air Force contract technology program to develop Mach 7 hydrocarbon-fueled missile. Modeled engine flowpath using 3D Full Navier Stokes multi-step reacting flow with hydrocarbon fuel injection using P&W NASTAR CFD code. Performed all grid generation, built pre and post processors for problem-specific setup and reduction.CFD results matched pre-combustion shock-train pressure field (resulting from mixed-mode reacting flow) observed in UTRC and GASL test facilities. Studies used to tailor flame-holder design resulting in first successful hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet producing positive thrust from Mach 4.5 to Mach 8 with fixed geometry.

ExperimentalistConducted IR radiometry in UTRC wind tunnel facility to assess effects of exhaust gas impingement on CH53E fuselage IR signature for a variety of exhaust nozzle configurations. Plume temperature field data acquired for subsequent plume IR signature analysis. Developed software to reduce, analyze, and display IR signature data and images.Experimental effort identified superior nozzle configuration to reduce IR signature.

Developed tools for calculating aircraft IR signatures where LOS plume radiation and surface radiation interaction are important. Analyzed the performance of gas turbine propulsion systems' infrared suppression devices. Tools used in support of numerous programs with Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky LO groups (including IR signature analysis in support of F22 and Boeing/Sikorsky Comanche program for IR suppression). Developed novel method for improving efficiency of configuration factor calculation for analytical modeling of surface radiation transfer.Resulting algorithm resulted in order of magnitude improvement in turn-around time.

Supported experimental efforts in high-temperature gas turbine engine cooling technology. Performed convection heat transfer analysis. Created instrumentation plans for high temperature rig tests

Experimental investigation of remote temperature mapping of solar cavity receivers entailing imaging radiometry and numerical radiation analysis.

Freshman Intro. To Mechanical Engineering and FORTRAN programming course instructor for approximately 125 students.