Research Activities

Our investigations are conducted via state-of-the-art non-intrusive laser-based diagnostic techniques, computation with detailed chemistry and transport, and mathematical analysis of the flame structure and dynamics, with strong coupling between the individual components.

Research Projects

Recent Graduates and Theses

Ph.D.

  • Xiao Ren, Impact of Mixer Design on Lean Direct Injection Combustion, December 2019.
  • Nicholas James Curtis, Accelerating Reactive-Flow Simulations via Vectorized Chemical Kinetic Evaluation, May 2019.
  • Goutham Kukkadapu, Autoignition Characteristics of Diesel Fuel and its Surrogates, August 2016.
  • Pradeep Kumar Singh, Soot and PAH Formation in Counterflow Non-Premixed Flames: Atmospheric Butane and Butanol Isomers, and Elevated-Pressure Ethylene, August 2016.
  • Kyle Benjamin Brady: On the Non-Premixed Counterflow Ignition of Alternative Fuels at Elevated Pressures, August 2015.
  • Bryan William Weber: High Pressure Ignition Chemistry of Alternative Fuels, August 2014.
  • Kyle Evan Niemeyer: Reducing the Cost of Chemistry in Reactive-Flow Simulations: Novel Mechanism Reduction Strategies and Acceleration via Graphics Processing Units, August 2013.
  • Xin Hui: Flame Studies on Conventional, Alternative, and Surrogate Jet Fuels and Their Reference Hydrocarbons, January 2013.
  • Apurba Kumar Das: Combustion Characteristics of Moist H2 and H2/CO Mixtures and in-situ Temperature and Species Measurements using Mid-IR Absorption Spectroscopy in a New RCM, May 2012.
  • Tadas Patrick Bartkus: An Analytical Model based on Experimental Data for the Self-Hydrolysis Kkinetics of Aqueous Sodium Borohydride, January 2011.
  • Hugh Douglas Perkins: Development and Demonstration of a Computational Tool for the Analysis of Particle Vitiation Effects in Hypersonic Propulsion Test Facilities, January 2009.
  • Amy Florence Mielke: Development of a Molecular Rayleigh Scattering Diagnostic for Simultaneous Time-Resolved Measurement of Temperature, Velocity, and Density, January 2008.
  • Kamal Kumar: Global Combustion Responses of Practical Hydrocarbon Fuels: n-Heptane, iso-Octane, n-Decane, n-Dodecane, and Ethylene, May 2007.
  • Jagannath Ramchandra Nanduri: A Computational Study of Structure, Stability, Dynamics, and Response of Low Stretch Diffusion Flames, January 2006.
  • Gaurav Mittal: A Rapid Compression Machine – Design, Characterization, and Autoignition Investigations, January 2006.
  • Bai Han: An Experimental and Computational Study of Burner-Generated Low Stretch Gaseous Diffusion Flames, May 2005.
  • Yimin Huang: On Flame Propagation of Primary Reference Fuels and Reformer Gas: Implications for Improved Cold-Start Performance of a SI Engine, May 2003.
  • Jennifer Lynn Rhatigan: Effects of Gas-Phase Radiation and Detailed Kinetics on the Burning and Extinction of a Solid Fuel, May 2001.

M.S.

  • Peter Bruce Vannorsdall, Sooting Propensities of FACE Gasolines in Counterflow Diffusion Flames, December 2019.
  • Kyle Evan Twarog, Investigation of a Non-Premixed Liquid Fuel Injector and Swirler Using a Purpose-Built Combustion Test Rig, May 2019.
  • Justin Anthony Bunnell: Autoignition of Methyl Pentanoate at Low to Intermediate Temperatures and Elevated Pressures in a Rapid Compression Machine, August 2015.
  • Fabio Poretti: 100% Conversion of Waste Brown Grease to Biodiesel and Syngas as valuable products for Heat and Power Cogeneration, August 2012.
  • Bryan William Weber: Autoigniton of n-Butanol at Low to Intermediate Temperature and Elevated Pressure, August 2010.
  • Kyle Evan Niemeyer: Skeletal Mechanism Generation for Surrogate Fuels, January 2010.
  • Kyle Benjamin Brady: Ignition Propensity of Hydrogen/Air Mixtures in the Presence of Heated Platinum Surfaces, January 2010.
  • Jason William Hartwig: Acetone-LIF at Elevated Pressure and Temperature for 282 nm Excitation: Experiments and Modeling, January 2010.
  • Jathaveda Maktal: Implementation of Reduced Mechanism in Complex Chemically Reacting Flows, May 2009.
  • Matthew Charles Deans: A Computational Study of the Ignition of Premixed Methane and Oxygen via a Hot Stream, May 2009.
  • John Joseph Nowakowski: Triple Concentric Jet with Swirl as a Variable Heat Pattern Injector in Industrial Furnace, May 2007.
  • Christopher Arnold Mento: Catalytic Combustion of Methane/Hydrogen/Oxygen Mixtures in a Platinum Microtube for Micro-Propulsion Applications, January 2007.
  • Joshua Eric Freeh: Laminar Flame Speeds of Preheated iso-Octane/O2/N2 Mixtures: Experimental and Computational Studies, January 2006.
  • Scott Jeffrey Volchko: Catalytic Combustion of Methane and Oxygen for Micro-Propulsion Applications, August 2005.
  • George Andrew Boyarko: Catalyzed Combustion of Hydrogen-Oxygen in Platinum and Palladium Tubes for Micro-Propulsion Applications, May 2004.
  • Kamal Kumar: Emission Characterization for a Port Fuel Injected Spark Ignition Engine, May 2004.
  • Jagannath Ramchandra Nanduri: A Computational Study of Structure, Dynamic Response, and Extinction Characteristics of Edge Diffusion Flames, August 2002.
  • Hugh Douglas Perkins: Effects of Fuel Distribution on Detonation Tube Performance, May 2002.
  • Bai Han: A Computational Study of the Vitiation Effects on Ignition in Two-Dimensional Supersonic Hydrogen/Air Mixing Layer, January 2002.
  • Yimin Huang: Extending Dilution Limit During Cold-Start by Reformer Gas Addition in the Intake, January 2001.
  • Franco Carmine Frate: A Computational Study of Dry CO/O2 Opposed-Jet Diffusion Flame and its Flammability Limits, January 2000.