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Horacio Aguirre-VillegasView profile

Researcher

• Bio-energy
• Life cycle assessment
• Anaerobic digestion
• +3 more

Horacio Aguirre-Villegas serves as a Researcher in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He holds a Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering from the same institution, along with an M.S. in Industrial Management from Universidad Ramón Llull and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Católica Boliviana. His research focuses on evaluating the sustainability of agricultural systems through life cycle assessment (LCA), particularly in bio-energy integration, waste management, and climate change mitigation. Key projects include the USDA-NIFA-funded Sustainable Dairy Project (Dairy CAP), where he contributes to LCA and extension efforts aimed at reducing dairy production's environmental footprint. He has also pioneered small-scale anaerobic digestion systems in Bolivia for biogas production. Dr. Aguirre-Villegas has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications and extension reports, emphasizing manure management, bioenergy systems, and supply chain sustainability. His work bridges academic research with practical applications, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving nutrient recovery from organic waste. Awards: 2018 Educational Aids Blue Ribbon Award (ASABE) for extension publications. Grants: Principal investigator in Dairy CAP project, collaborating with USDA-NIFA and industry partners. Labs/Teams: Lead researcher in UW-Madison's Sustainable Dairy Initiative and collaborative international projects in Bolivia.

Luca MassaView profile

Associate Professor

• Numerical Methods
• Combustion
• Fluid Dynamics
• +6 more

Luca Massa is an Associate Professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University , where he has served since 2016. His research centers on chemically reactive flows and the multi-scale coupling between fluid dynamics and thermochemistry in high-speed flight. Education Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering – Mississippi State University B.S. in Mechanical Engineering – Politecnico di Bari, Italy Research Interests Massa’s work seeks innovative ways to couple fluid and chemical scales to improve aerospace-vehicle performance. In hypersonic transition he studies how acoustic modes interacting with fluid thermochemistry can delay turbulence onset, enabling lighter thermal-protection systems and larger payloads. In plasma-coupled combustion he develops computational models to exploit weakly-ionized plasma for radical generation and controlled ignition in high-speed combustors. Publication Trends His 2023-2025 publications reveal an intense focus on solid-fuel scramjets , plasma-assisted ignition , and hypersonic heat-flux reconstruction . The body of work integrates large-eddy simulation, reduced-order modeling, and experimental validation to advance understanding of combustion instability, detonation dynamics, and thermal management in extreme environments. Contact & Resources Office: Virginia Tech Swing Space, Room 232, 1600 Innovation Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Email: lmassa@vt.edu Phone: (540) 231-6940 Google Scholar: Profile

Darrell L. RobinetteView profile

Associate Professor

• Powertrain Electrification
• Connected and Automated Vehicles
• Automotive Engineering
• +4 more

Darrell L. Robinette is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University (MTU), where he also serves as Area Director for Design/Dynamic Systems. He joined MTU in 2016 after nine years at General Motors, where he focused on powertrain NVH, controls, and electrification. His research emphasizes mobility systems electrification, connected/automated vehicle optimization, and propulsion system integration. Education: Robinette holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (2016) and a BS in Mechanical Engineering (year not specified), both from MTU. Research Interests: His work spans electrification of mobility systems, connected/automated vehicle control systems, automatic transmission dynamics, torque converter optimization, and drivetrain NVH reduction. He leads projects funded by GM, Ford, the Department of Energy, and ARPA-E, addressing topics like heavy-duty off-road electrification and energy-efficient vehicle control strategies. Patents: He holds 15 U.S. patents in powertrain and driveline engineering, including innovations in clutch systems, hybrid transmissions, and NVH mitigation technologies. Advising & Grants: Co-advisor for the SAE-GM Autodrive Challenge II. His funded research includes ARPA-E’s NEXTCAR program for connected vehicle optimization, DOE projects on off-road electrification, and industry collaborations on transmission testing and simulation. Labs/Teams: His work is conducted within MTU’s R. L. Smith Department, focusing on experimental and computational analysis of powertrain systems. He collaborates closely with automotive industry partners on applied research initiatives.

Jeffrey D. NaberView profile

Professor

• Internal Combustion Engines
• Hydrogen and Biofuels
• After-Treatment Systems
• +3 more

Dr. Jeffrey D. Naber is the Richard and Elizabeth Henes Endowed Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Michigan Technological University (MTU). He serves as Director of the Advanced Power Systems Research Center and Area Director of Energy-Thermo-Fluids (ETF). Previously, he worked in the automotive industry and at Sandia National Laboratories' Combustion Research Facility (CRF), focusing on engine management systems and combustion diagnostics. His research emphasizes internal combustion engines, hydrogen and biofuel applications, and advanced experimental techniques. Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering) Research Interests: Combustion processes and control in hydrogen and dual-fuel engines Biofuel production and application in advanced combustion systems Development of combustion measurement techniques for diesel, gasoline, and HCCI/PPCI engines Engine efficiency and emissions reduction strategies Labs & Teams: Directs the Advanced Internal Combustion (AICE) Laboratories at MTU, focusing on experimental combustion research and engine optimization. Grants & Collaborations: Leads federally funded projects on alternative fuels and low-emission engine technologies, collaborating with industry partners and national labs.

Petra CameronView profile

Professor

• Energy Materials
• Perovskite Solar Cells
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• +3 more

Prof Petra Cameron is a Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bath, leading an experimental research group focused on energy materials and perovskite solar cells. She is affiliated with the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies and the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13). Research Interests: Her lab explores: • Perovskite solar cell development and stability • Photo-microbial fuel cells for energy generation • Self-assembled small molecules for energy and healthcare applications • Luminescent downshifting films for plant growth enhancement • Biobased materials for coastal protection (e.g., artificial reefs) • Electrochemical systems and nanotechnology applications. Grants & Projects: • Innovate UK Smart Grant (2022–2024): Biobased Electrochemical Artificial Reefs (BEARs) for coastal protection • Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (2021–2023): Retrofit solar PV solutions with anti-reflective coatings • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (2021): Quantum dot synthesis via flow chemistry. Labs & Teams: She leads the PJC Group at the University of Bath, collaborating internationally on sustainable energy materials. Her team develops advanced materials for photovoltaics and environmental applications.

John T.B.A. KesselsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Vehicle Energy Management
• Hybrid Electric Systems
• Optimal Control Engineering
• +2 more

John Kessels is Assistant Professor (part-time) at TU Eindhoven and Senior Control Engineer at DAF Trucks. His research develops energy management systems for heavy-duty vehicles, combining academic theory with industrial applications. Key research areas: Complete vehicle energy optimization Battery lifetime prediction models Hybrid powertrain control Publications present distributed optimization frameworks and battery-conscious control strategies validated through industry partnerships. Industry collaborations: DAF Trucks NV Ford Research Centre

Ravi B. PatelView profile

Research Fellow

• Plasma Physics
• Combustion Engineering
• Non-Equilibrium Plasma
• +3 more

Ravi B. Patel is a Research Fellow and Doctoral candidate at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), affiliated with the Applied Physics Department and Mechanical Engineering Department. His research focuses on plasma-assisted combustion to achieve cleaner energy solutions, leveraging optical diagnostics to study non-equilibrium plasma interactions in combustion processes. He holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from L.D. College of Engineering (2015) and a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (2018), specializing in propulsion systems. His work addresses global energy challenges by optimizing plasma applications for low-temperature, emission-reducing combustion. Education: Bachelor’s: Mechanical Engineering, L.D. College of Engineering, India (2015) Master’s: Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), India (2018) Research Interests: Plasma physics, combustion engineering, non-equilibrium plasma dynamics, and sustainable energy technologies. His work emphasizes low-temperature plasma interactions with combustion chemistry to enhance efficiency and reduce emissions. Honors: First poster prize at the Combura Symposium (2019) Advising & Grants: Supervised 4 research projects and contributed to the TTW-funded project 'Making plasma-assisted combustion efficient' (2018–2024), focusing on plasma diagnostics and low-carbon fuel applications. Labs & Groups: Member of the Elementary Processes in Gas Discharges Group and Power & Flow Group at TU/e, collaborating on projects related to plasma-assisted ignition and combustion stabilization.

Thijs A.C. van KeulenView profile

Assistant Professor

• Optimal Control Theory
• Hybrid Vehicle Powertrains
• Extremum Seeking Control
• +2 more

Thijs A.C. van Keulen is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology. He specializes in optimal control applications for sustainable mobility systems and high-precision mechatronics. Research focuses on: Fuel-optimal control strategies for hybrid vehicles Extremum seeking control methods Real-time optimization of constrained systems Learning control for industrial applications Energy management in heavy-duty powertrains Publications demonstrate innovative applications of Pontryagin's Minimum Principle to vehicle energy optimization and learning control techniques for precision motion systems. Recent work develops computationally efficient algorithms suitable for real-time implementation. Maintains industry collaborations with automotive and high-tech sectors, bridging theoretical control advances with practical engineering challenges.

Mark E. OrazemView profile

Professor

• Electrochemical Engineering
• Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
• Corrosion Detection
• +3 more

Mark E. Orazem is a Distinguished Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida. His research focuses on electrochemical engineering, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and corrosion detection with applications in environmental sustainability and material science. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (1983), and degrees from Kansas State University (M.S. 1978, B.S. 1976). Research interests include: Electrokinetic dewatering for environmental remediation in phosphate mining. Interpretation of impedance spectra for diverse systems (batteries, fuel cells, neural implants). Development of novel impedance analysis methods to address frequency dispersion challenges. Recent work includes patented corrosion detection sensors for infrastructure and collaborations on quantum-dot LEDs and human skin impedance. His group’s power-law model is widely used in industry for material quality assessment. Key projects involve: Impedance-based corrosion monitoring for bridges and nuclear waste repositories. Electrochemical analysis of neural stimulation devices and chronic implants. Mathematical modeling of under-deposit corrosion and coating degradation. His research emphasizes translating fundamental electrochemical insights into practical engineering solutions for sustainability and healthcare.

Marie-Odile FortierView profile

Assistant Professor

• Sustainability
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Renewable Energy Systems
• +3 more

Marie-Odile Fortier is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Her research focuses on sustainability, life cycle assessment (LCA), renewable energy systems, and environmental policy. She leads projects analyzing the carbon footprint of energy systems, bioenergy production, and geospatial impacts of renewable energy infrastructure. Dr. Fortier has received an NSF CAREER Award for her work on geospatial LCA of solar and ocean energy systems. Her research interests span decarbonization strategies, policy analysis, and sustainable technology development. Notable contributions include studies on energy transitions, biofuel lifecycle emissions, and geospatial carbon accounting for natural gas and solar projects. She emphasizes integrating economic feasibility and geographic factors into sustainability assessments. Dr. Fortier’s publications analyze diverse sectors including piezoelectric energy harvesting, soil remediation with ionic liquids, and stochastic modeling of bioenergy supply chains. She advocates for comprehensive climate action plans that account for full lifecycle emissions, challenging assumptions in carbon trading mechanisms and energy policy frameworks. Awards: NSF CAREER Award (2022) Key Projects: CAREER-funded solar/ocean energy LCA, biofuel production pathways in the Northeast US, and geospatial analysis of natural gas extraction impacts.

Hamidreza Gohari DarabkhaniView profile

Professor

• Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Systems
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Hydrogen Energy Technologies
• +4 more

Professor Hamidreza Gohari Darabkhani is a faculty member at Staffordshire University, specializing in Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Systems. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (Combustion & Energy Conversion Systems) from the University of Manchester and has over 20 years of industry and academic experience. His research focuses on carbon capture technologies, renewable energy systems (e.g., biofuels, hydrogen, solar), and energy storage solutions. He is Deputy Director of the Staffordshire Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Engineering (SCRSE) and has secured over £7 million in research grants. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2010), University of Manchester MSc in Aerospace Engineering (2001), Amirkabir University of Technology BSc in Mechanical Engineering (1997), Amirkabir University of Technology Research Interests: Low-carbon energy systems for smart cities, hydrogen utilization, carbon capture in power plants, and energy storage technologies like liquid air batteries. He actively collaborates with industry partners on projects such as the MiTREC microturbine generator and hydrogen fuel cell systems. Awards & Recognition: Highly Commended Research with Impact Award (2019) Engineering Excellence Award (2017) Best Presentation Award at ICCCST2018 Grants & Projects: Over £7m in funded projects, including the £1.3m MiTREC project (biogas microturbine) and the £350k Newton Institutional Links Grant for polymeric solar cells. He leads collaborations with institutions like Alexandria University (Egypt) and the University of Sao Paulo (Brazil). Teaching & Mentorship: Supervised 11 PhD students and over 80 postgraduate/undergraduate students. Course leader for MSc Mechanical Engineering and Sustainable Energy Technologies, with a focus on smart technologies and international collaboration. Labs & Teams: Involved in the Renewable Energy Lab at Staffordshire University, developing innovative technologies for net-zero targets. Active in the Staffordshire Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Engineering (SCRSE).

• Aeroacoustics
• Fluid-Structure Interaction
• Flow-Induced Vibration and Noise
• +7 more

Dr. Atef Mohany is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at Ontario Tech University (formerly UOIT). He holds academic appointments in the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. His research focuses on aeroacoustics, fluid-structure interaction, flow-induced vibration and noise, turbulent flows, structural dynamics, and noise control. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering (CSME). Dr. Mohany earned his BSc and MSc in Mechanical Power Engineering from Cairo University (Egypt) in 1998 and 2001, respectively. He completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University (Canada) in 2006. He is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and has held editorial roles for journals like ASME Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology and Ultrasonics Sonochemistry. His research interests span advanced energy systems, nuclear safety (e.g., CANDU fuel bundle dynamics), and innovative noise-control technologies. He has received numerous awards, including the ASME JPVT Reviewer of the Year Award (2020) and the FEAS Research Excellence Award (2024). His work integrates experimental fluid mechanics, numerical modeling, and engineering applications in aerospace, automotive, and nuclear sectors. Professional Activities: Associate Editor, ASME Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology (2023–present) Secretary of ASME Fluid-Structure Interaction Technical Committee (2021–present) Member of ISO National Committees for Boilers/Acoustics (2021–present) Awards: Research Excellence Chair in Structural Integrity (2023–present) Fellow, ASME & CSME (2022) ASME JPVT Literature Award (2020) Dr. Mohany's publications address topics like acoustic resonance suppression in industrial systems, nuclear fuel bundle dynamics, and ultrasonic hydrogen production. He leads projects funded by industry partners and government agencies, emphasizing practical engineering solutions for energy systems and safety-critical infrastructure.

ZhengRong GuView profile

Associate Professor

• Renewable carbon materials
• Bioseparation technology
• Electrochemical energy storage
• +5 more

ZhengRong Gu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at South Dakota State University (SDSU). He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois-Urbana and a postdoctoral background in Microbiology. His research focuses on renewable carbon materials, bioseparation technologies, and electrochemical energy storage systems. Gu’s work integrates advanced material synthesis (e.g., nitrogen-doped graphene from DDGS) with applications in supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and biosensors. Education: B.S., M.S. in Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology M.S., Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois-Urbana Postdoctoral Research, Microbiology, University of Illinois Research Interests: Scalable biorenewable graphene synthesis Bioseparation for biopharmaceuticals and biofuel processing Electrochemical sensors for pathogens and environmental contaminants Catalysts for biorefinery and lignin conversion Water purification via capacitive deionization and photocatalysis Awards: Gamma Sigma Delta Award of Research (2020) College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Outstanding Researcher (2016) Grants & Labs: Lead PI for NSF MRI-funded TEM facility ($1.2M) Projects on biochar lifecycle impacts, graphene-based sensors, and plasma-activated carbon Co-PI for NASA-EPSCoR’s bioelectrochemical module for space exploration ($750K) Labs/Teams: ABE department labs focusing on biorenewable materials and electrochemical systems Collaborations with industry (e.g., GE-Lifescience) and federal agencies (USDA, NASA)

• Carbon Materials
• Sustainable Energy
• Environmental Applications
• +7 more

Professor Yuan Chen is a faculty member in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Sydney. He holds a PhD from Yale University and a bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University. His research focuses on carbon materials for sustainable energy and environmental applications, including advanced batteries, supercapacitors, and water treatment technologies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Key roles include Editor for Carbon (Elsevier) and Chair of the Australian Carbon Society. Research interests revolve around translating carbon nanomaterial properties into practical applications like energy storage (e.g., lithium-ion batteries, zinc-based systems) and environmental solutions (e.g., membranes, antibacterial coatings). Recent projects explore carbon materials from methane pyrolysis and electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction. His work emphasizes scalability and environmental impact reduction. Notable achievements include the Australian Research Council Mid-Career Industry Fellowship (2024) and Excellence in Review Awards (2015) . He supervises students in areas like zinc-ion batteries and carbon nanotube chirality control. Collaborations span institutions globally, with affiliations to the Sydney Environment Institute and the Net Zero Institute. Publications highlight innovations in carbon-based materials, including electrode design for batteries and electrocatalytic systems. He actively engages in industry partnerships to commercialize research outcomes.

• Thermodynamics
• Combustion Technology
• Automotive Engineering
• +3 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Esch is a Professor at the Aachen University of Applied Sciences in the Department of Aerospace and Automotive Engineering . He specializes in Thermodynamics and Combustion Technology, with consultation hours held weekly. His institutional affiliations include the European Center for Sustainable Mobility (ECSM). His research spans thermodynamics, combustion systems, sustainable mobility, fuel cell technology, and propulsion engineering. Recent work focuses on thermal management in electric vehicles, rocket propulsion optimization, and AI-driven energy systems. Prof. Esch publishes extensively on sustainable energy solutions, with recent articles (2020-2025) covering fuel cell efficiency, hydrogen vehicle optimization, rocket engine design, and thermal management. His research consistently addresses industrial applications of thermodynamics and propulsion. He teaches courses including: Combustion Technology (Lecture, Exercises, Internships) Global Automotive Homologation Practical Engineering and Social Competencies for Industrial Development Prof. Esch leads academic initiatives like the Erasmus+ United Future Fuel Design Training Center, facilitating international collaborations in sustainable fuel research.