Research

• Thermal Sciences

  A significant portion of the research in thermal sciences at UM has applications in automotive engineering. The development of new, more sustainable technologies is a strong focus. Topics of research include automotive systems design, internal combustion processes and systems, friction in spark ignition engines, development of transient diesel engine simulation, diesel engine combustion, natural gas operation of diesels, hybrid propulsion technology, alternative fuels, and fuel cells for HCCI engines. Researchers also work on related topics such as pollution formation and nanoparticle interactions with biomolecular systems. Other areas of research include heat and mass transfer, energy conservation, fire suppression and flow spread,  refrigerant properties, metal hydride heat pumps and hydrogen storage, micro-scale power generation as an alternative energy source, thermoelectric energy conversion, and nanoparticle growth and self-assembly. Researchers have ties to other departments and programs at UM including Chemical, Biomedical, and Aerospace Engineering; and the Applied Physics Program. Work in the thermal sciences is funded by diverse sources, including the NSF, the Airforce Office of Scientific Research, the US Army, the US Department of Energy, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

• Research Highlights

  Computational Reacting Flows Laboratory Hong Im's group develops advanced computational methods for modeling turbulent reacting flows applicable to internal combustion engines and gas turbines. The figure shows a snapshot of what would happen inside an HCCI (homogeneous charge compression ignition) engine during the ignition event in the presence of fuel and air that are not perfectly mixed. Red color indicates peak heat generation, leading to a propagation of ignition front.
  W. E. Lay Automotive Laboratory Dennis Assanis and Zoran Filipi of the W. E. Lay Automotive Laboratory research heat transfer in internal combustion engines, including HCCI strategies and emerging technologies such as hybrid propulsion.
  Atreya's Group Arvind Atreya's group studies fire and combustion, including advanced techniques for pollutant reduction such as radiative homogeneous combustion.
  The Heat Transfer Physics Laboratory The Heat Transfer Physics Laboratory studies nanoscale phonon/photon/electron energy conversion processes using advanced molecular dynamics simulations as well as material growth and MEMS fabrication.
  The Laboratory for Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices The Laboratory for Nanostructured Energy Conversion Devices studies microscale heat transfer and thermoelectric energy transport in electronic devices such as high-power lasers and transistors as well as organic electronic materials and devices.
  Sick's Group Volker Sick's group applies molecular spectroscopy techniques to study reactive and non-reactive flows, with a particular emphasis on laser diagnostics of internal combustion engines.
  The Multiscale Computational Nanoscience Laboratory The Multiscale Computational Nanoscience Laboratory studies the formation and transport of nanoparticles during combustion. The Combustion Laboratory uses optical, thermal, and chemical sensors to probe combustion dynamics, including ignition and reaction kinetics.
  The Combustion Laboratory The Combustion Laboratory uses optical, thermal, and chemical sensors to probe combustion dynamics, including ignition and reaction kinetics.
  Sangi Reddy's Group Pramod Sangi Reddy's group studies heat and electron transport in nanostructured materials, in particular the transfer of energy at the single-molecule level.
  Borgnakke's Group Claus Borgnakke's group focuses on the modeling of combustion and pollutant formation, and further studies hydrogen storage technologies and metal hydride heat pumps.	[Needs an image]

• Researchers

  Dennis Assanis	Internal combustion, experimental investigation of heat rejection
  Arvind Atreya	Combustion, fire, heat and mass transfer, fire suppression
  Claus Borgnakke	Metal hydride heat pumps and hydrogen storage
  Zoran Filipi	Internal combustion engines, hybrid propulsion
  Hong Im	Computational methods for reacting flows
  Massoud Kaviany	Heat transfer physics, molecular dynamics
  Kevin Pipe	Microscale heat transfer, photovoltaic energy conversion
  Volker Sick	Molecular spectroscopy, development and application of laser techniques for combustion diagnostics
  Angela Violi	Nanoparticle interactions with biomolecular systems
  Margaret Wooldridge	Reburn and co-firing technologies, pollution mitagation