Department of Mechanical Engineering

Thermal Systems

Areas in thermal systems:

• Combustion
• Energy Systems
• Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics
• Refrigeration

Combustion

The main areas of  focus of the combustion group are

1) to investigate and better understand fundamental phenomena of combustion, pyrolysis, and flame spread, and 

2) to improve  the application of this knowledge to energy conversion systems and fire prediction and prevention for the betterment of society.

Experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies are performed in diverse areas, including: fluidized beds, microgravity combustion, internal combustion engines, fire safety, third world stoves, and pulverized coal furnaces.

Research Labs:

• Combustion and Gasification
• Powders Combustion Lab
• Internal Combustion Engine Lab

Faculty members:

• Robert C. Brown (rcbrowniastate.edu)
• Kenneth “Mark” Bryden (kmbrydeniastate.edu)
• Song-Charng Kong (kongiastate.edu)
• Terry Meyer (trmiastate.edu)
  
• Shankar Subramaniam (shankariastate.edu)

Energy Systems

The main areas of focus of the Energy Systems Group are

1) to investigate and better understand fundamental phenomena in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and combustion, and 

2) to improve the application of this knowledge to optimize the conversion and use of energy for the betterment of society. 

Experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies are performed in diverse areas, including: Building and Industrial Energy Efficiency, Internal Combustion Engines, Alternative Energy Sources, Power Systems, Combustion, Virtual Engineering, and Applied Artificial Intelligence.

Research Labs:

• Biomass Cookstoves
• Biomass Fuels Research
• HVAC Flow Loop Lab
• Internal Combustion Engine Lab

Professors Brown, Kong, and Meyer also participate in BECON, an Iowa Energy Center facility.

Faculty members:

• Robert C. Brown (rcbrowniastate.edu)
• Kenneth “Mark” Bryden (kmbrydeniastate.edu)
• Song-Charng Kong (kongiastate.edu)
• Terry Meyer (trmiastate.edu)
• Ron M. Nelson (ronniastate.edu)

Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics

The Fluid Mechanics Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University is actively conducting research in many aspects of fluid mechanics, covering fundamental and applied areas, as well as experimental and computational studies.

Particular departmental strengths include experimental fluid mechanics, computational fluid mechanics, multiphase flow, turbulence, microfluidics, nanofluids (nanoparticle suspensions), and flow visualization.

For a description of selected projects, visit the links below:

Research Labs:

• Comp. Fluid Dyn Lab
• Experimental Fluid Mechanics Lab
• Multiphase Flow Computational Laboratory
• Transport Processes

Faculty members:

• K. Mark Bryden (kmbrydeniastate.edu)
• Theodore J. Heindel (theindeliastate.edu)
• Song-Charng Kong (kongiastate.edu)
• Theodore H. Okiishi (tedoiastate.edu)
• Michael G. Olsen (mgolseniastate.edu)
• Michael B. Pate (mpateiastate.edu)
• Richard H. Pletcher (pletcheriastate.edu)
• Shankar Subramaniam (shankariastate.edu)

Refrigeration

Research Labs:

• Heat Transfer and Refrigeration

Faculty Members:

• Gregory M. Maxwell (gmaxwelliastate.edu)
• Michael B. Pate (mpateiastate.edu)