Group Leader

Margaret S. Wooldridge Professor Departments of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, 1989 M.S. Mechanical Engineering: Stanford University, 1991 PhD. Mechanical Engineering: Stanford University, 1995 Research: High-temperature chemically reacting systems are critical to widespread applications, including synthesis methods for advanced materials, power and propulsion generation, and chemical processing. Prof. Wooldridge's research program spans these diverse areas and focuses on experimental studies to enable major developments in materials, fuel chemistry and combustion devices. mswool@umich.edu

 

Current Graduate Students

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Darshan Mukesh Arvinda Karwat Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Mumbai, India Education: B.S. Aerospace Engineering: University of Michigan, 2003 Pursuing M.S. in Aerospace Engineering/Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, University of Michigan; Pursuing PhD in Aerospace Engineering & Environmental Policy: University of Michigan Research: Alternative Fuels in Aviation, and Regulatory Policy for Air Pollutants dippind@umich.edu

Peter Keros Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2008 Research:

 

 

Recent Graduates

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James Wiswall Currently at: University of Michigan, Post-Doctorate Student Hometown: Buffalo, New York Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2004 M.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2007 Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2009 Research: Catalytically-assisted micro-combustors jwiswall@umich.edu

Steve Walton Currently at: Blue Origin, Seattle WA Hometown: Portage, Michigan Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2003 Graduated M.S. 2005, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2008 Research: High speed digital imaging of combustion phenomena smwalton@umich.edu

Smitesh Bakrania Currently at: Rowan University, Assistant Professor Hometown: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Education: B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: Union College, 2003 M.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2005 PhD. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2008 Research: Combustion synthesis of tin dioxide nanocomposite for gas sensor applications. bakrania@rowan.edu

Brad Zigler Currently at: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Senior Engineer Hometown: Milton, Wisconsin Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: Milwaukee School of Engineering, 1992 Master of Engineering Management: University of Detroit-Mercy, 1996 M.S. Mechanical Engineering: Wayne State University, 2001 PhD. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2008 Research: Fundamental studies of advanced engine technologies using optical imaging bzigler@umich.edu

Kyeongmin Kim Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Busan, Korea Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: Saitama University, 2006 Pursuing M.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: Spark assisted HCCI in an optical research engine kyekim@umich.edu

Carlos Perez Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Caracas, Venezuela Education: B.S. Aerospace Engin.: University of Michigan, 2005; Pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: Combustion synthesis and materials analysis of nanostructured flame-generated materials carlosp@umich.edu

Tiffany A. Miller Currently at: Hometown: Saline, Michigan Education: B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2001 M.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2002 Graduated Ph.D. 2005, Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: Thesis topic: Combustion synthesis of materials, focusing on metal/metal oxide nanocomposite particles fabricated using a multi-element diffusion burner. Additional research interests: Silane (SiH4) kinetics and mechanism modeling millert@engin.umich.edu

Xin He Currently at: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Hometown: Jiangshan, Zhejiang Province, P.R. China Education: B.S. Thermal Engineering: Tsinghua University, 1998 M.S. Thermal Engineering: Tsinghua University, 2001 Graduated Ph.D. 2005, Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: An Investigation of Isooctane Auto-Ignition Using a Rapid Compression Facility xhe@engin.umich.edu

Travis R. Palmer Currently at: Southern California Hometown: Fresno, CA Education: B.S. Aerospace Engin.: University of Michigan, 2004 Graduated M.S.E. 2005, Aerospace Engin., University of Michigan Research: RCF and optical engine studies of combustion systems. trpalmer@umich.edu

Michael Donovan Hometown: North Olmsted, OH Education: B.S.E Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 1990 M.S.E Mechanical Engineering :University of Michigan, 1996 Graduated Ph.D. 2003, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan Research: Experimental studies of the Role of OH in SiO2 particle nucleation in SiH4 combustion using uv absorption spectroscopy

Paul Torek Currently at: Huron Valley Steel, Ann Arbor Michigan Education: B.S.E Mechanical Engineering: Graduated M.S. 2001, Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: Development of an optically-based laser diagnostic for species and temperature measurements in high-particle loading combustion systems.

Troy Kim Currently at: Business School Program, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Education: B.S.E in Mechanical Engineering: Rutgers University, 1998 Graduated M.S. 2000, Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2000 Research: Experimental investigation of the effects of gas transport agents on the combustion synthesis of tantalum carbide materials.

Photo not available Sang Jin Hong Currently at: Ford Motor Company, Ford Research Laboratories Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering: Rutgers University, 1998 Graduated Ph.D. 2001, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan Research: Computational studies of soot formation in engine simulations