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Group Leader
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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
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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
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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 |
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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.
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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.
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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
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