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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Brad Zigler Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student 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 Research: Fundamental studies of advanced engine technologies using optical imaging bzigler@umich.edu

Steve Walton Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Portage, Michigan Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2003 Graduated M.S. 2005, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan Pursuing PhD. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: High speed digital imaging of combustion phenomena smwalton@umich.edu

Smitesh Bakrania Currently at: University of Michigan, Graduate Student Hometown: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Education: B.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: Union College, 2003 M.S.E. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan, 2005 Pursuing PhD. Mechanical Engineering: University of Michigan Research: Combustion synthesis of materials for gas sensor applications. bakrania@umich.edu

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

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

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

 

Previous Undergraduate Students

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Gurlovleen Rathore Currently at: University of Michigan, Undergraduate Student Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering in progress at the University of Michigan Research: Single particle combustion studies of metal acetate rathog@umich.edu

Elizabeth Perez Currently at: University of Michigan, Undergraduate Student Education: B.S. Mechanical Engineering in progress at the University of Michigan Research: Sidewall imaging of ignition phenomena perezliz@umich.edu

 

Recent Graduates

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Tiffany A. Miller Currently at: Drexel University, Assistant Professor 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: General Motors, GM R&D and Planning 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