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Soo JeonView profile

Professor

• Mechatronics
• Robotics
• Control Systems
• +7 more

Soo Jeon is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering at the University of Waterloo, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He holds a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley (2007) and prior degrees from Seoul National University. His research focuses on mechatronics, dynamic systems, and control, with applications in robotics, autonomous systems, and precision motion control. He has held roles as Assistant Professor (2009–2015), Associate Professor (2015–2024), and Full Professor (2024–present). Professor Jeon’s expertise includes intelligent sensing and control for mechatronic systems, nonlinear dynamics, and autonomous systems. He has received notable awards such as the 2022 Engineer of the Year Award (AKCSE/KOFST), 2015 NSERC Discovery Accelerator Supplement, and 2010 ASME Rudolf Kalman Best Paper Award. He serves as an Associate Editor for several journals, including the ASME Journal of Dynamic Systems and IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering. His research interests span robotics, control systems, and automation, with recent work on autonomous navigation, tactile exploration, and model predictive control. He supervises graduate students in MASc and PhD programs and teaches courses like ME 649 (Control of Machines and Processes) and ME 360 (Introduction to Control Systems). Jeon holds patents in areas like low-power magnetic locks and remote plasma source seasoning. His lab, the Waterloo Mechanical Systems & Control Laboratory (WMSCL), focuses on advanced mechatronics and robotics projects, including collaborations with international institutions such as the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM).

• Interface Chemistry
• Thin Film Characterization
• Semiconductor Physics
• +4 more

Dr. Robert O’Connor is an Assistant Professor at the School of Physical Sciences, Dublin City University (DCU) , specializing in interface chemistry and thin film characterization. His work bridges semiconductor physics and energy harvesting technologies , with a focus on materials like high-κ dielectrics and III-V substrates. BSc in Applied Physics (2001), DCU PhD in Semiconductor Physics (2005), DCU His research employs X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic layer deposition (ALD) to study material interfaces in devices such as MOSFETs and photoelectrochemical systems . He leads a 4-year SFI-funded project on solar water splitting for hydrogen fuel and collaborates with Trinity College Dublin (SPOKE project) and IMEC, Belgium on area-selective deposition techniques. His lab utilizes a state-of-the-art integrated ALD-XPS tool . His scientific awards include the Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship , Irish Research Council EMBARK Fellowship , and SFI TIDA Award . Publications span high-κ dielectrics , self-assembled monolayers , and block copolymer lithography , with recent work on graphene oxide heterostructures and recyclability in additive manufacturing . He supervises 5 postgraduate students and teaches modules like Final Year Project (PS451) and Solid State Physics I (PS204) . Collaborations include institutions such as IMEC and Trinity College Dublin , with tools like the integrated ALD-XPS system at DCU.

Oliver SchmitzView profile

Professor

• Plasma Edge Physics
• Plasma Wall Interaction
• Three-Dimensional Plasma Edge Transport
• +6 more

Oliver Schmitz is a Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering & Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he leads research in plasma edge physics for magnetic confinement fusion and next-generation particle accelerators. His work bridges experimental plasma science, computational modeling, and diagnostic development with applications in both tokamaks and stellarators. Education: PhD (2006), Heinrich-Heine-Universität Diploma (2003), Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Professor Schmitz's research focuses on 3D plasma edge transport phenomena, plasma-wall interactions, and helicon plasma generation for wakefield accelerators. His group employs advanced computational tools like EMC3-EIRENE for 3D plasma edge modeling and develops active spectroscopic diagnostics to measure plasma parameters through atomic emission analysis. Key themes include resonant magnetic perturbation effects in tokamaks, inherent 3D physics in stellarators, and high-density plasma sustainment for accelerator applications. He actively develops atomic models to interpret spectroscopic data and operates helicon plasma test stands for fundamental process studies. Recent publications reveal strong emphasis on experimental-computational integration for fusion boundary physics, with significant contributions to ITER divertor solutions, stellarator exhaust optimization, and plasma-facing materials. The work shows growing focus on wakefield accelerator diagnostics through helicon plasma sources and advanced spectroscopy, alongside persistent innovation in 3D modeling of plasma-material interfaces. Scientific Awards: 2020 Thomas and Suzanne Werner Chair Professorship 2018 UW Madison Teaching Academy Fellow 2017 ITER Science Fellowship & Vilas Mid-Career Award 2015 DOE Early Career Award & NSF CAREER Award 2011 Torkil Jensen Award (General Atomics) 2007 Günther-Leibfried-Preis (Jülich) Professor Schmitz directs multiple DOE/NSF-funded research programs including his UW Madison laboratory and AWAKE project contributions at CERN. He mentors graduate students through NE 890/990 thesis research courses and has developed nationally recognized K-12 outreach including the "Plasma Show" for elementary schools and "Plasma Academy" for high-school educators developing AP Physics curriculum modules. His leadership extends to university governance through the Kaufman seminar on academic leadership. His research group operates helicon plasma test stands and computational facilities for EMC3-EIRENE simulations, with current efforts focused on high-density plasma sources for accelerators and resilient divertor solutions for stellarators. The group maintains strong international collaborations with ITER, CERN, and major fusion facilities worldwide.

Jaime PeraireView profile

Professor

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Finite Element Methods
• Aerodynamics
• +7 more

Jaime Peraire is the H.N. Slater Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT, affiliated with the School of Engineering. He leads research in computational mechanics, aerodynamics, and numerical methods for partial differential equations, with key roles as former Department Head (2011-2018) and Director of the Aerospace Computational Design Lab (1993-2011). His expertise spans finite element methods, shock capturing algorithms, and high-order numerical techniques applied to hypersonic flows, space weather, and metamaterials. Education includes a Ph.D. from the University of Wales (1986) and engineering degrees from the University of Barcelona (1983, 1987). He holds prestigious awards like the T.J. Hughes Medal (2015) and the Ildefons Cerdá Medal (2015). His work bridges computational science and engineering, with contributions to discontinuous Galerkin methods, mesh adaptivity, and GPU-accelerated simulations. Research interests emphasize high-fidelity modeling of compressible flows, plasma dynamics, and terahertz spectroscopy. Notable projects include MIT’s space weather modeling initiative and metamaterial fabrication using atomic layer lithography. His labs collaborate across MIT’s Schwarzman College of Computing, IDSS, and CCSE to advance computational tools for aerospace and environmental systems. Awards: Over 10 major prizes, including NASA Exceptional Achievement (1997) and IACM Young Researchers Award (1998). Grants/Advising: Led NSF-funded space weather projects and advised numerous PhD students in computational engineering. Labs: Aerospace Computational Design Lab, MIT Schwarzman College of Computing collaborations.

• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Scientific Machine Learning
• Data-Driven Modeling
• +3 more

Shaowu Pan is an Assistant Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), affiliated with the Future of Computing Institute (FOCI) and the Scientific Computation Research Center (SCOREC). He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering and Scientific Computing from the University of Michigan and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Washington’s AI Institute in Dynamic Systems. Education: Ph.D., University of Michigan, 2021 M.S., University of Michigan, 2015 B.E. & B.S., Beihang University, 2013 Research Interests: His work focuses on the intersection of computational fluid dynamics, data-driven modeling, and scientific machine learning. Key areas include operator-theoretic modeling of fluid flows, generative AI for physical systems, and physics-informed neural networks. He develops novel algorithms for reduced-order modeling and stability-preserving surrogate models, with applications in turbulence, plasma physics, and aerodynamics. Key Contributions: Developed PyKoopman , an open-source Python package for Koopman operator approximation. Pioneered mesh-agnostic representation methods like Neural Implicit Flow for spatio-temporal data. Advanced physics-informed neural networks for solving Grad-Shafranov equations and plasma equilibrium problems. Awards & Recognition: John Tichy Junior Faculty Travel Grant (2024) Chinese Outstanding Student Abroad Award (2021) Richard and Eleanor Towner Prize Nominee (2019) Teaching & Mentorship: He teaches courses like MANE 2110: Numerical Methods and Programming for Engineers and mentors multiple Ph.D., master’s, and undergraduate students. His doctoral committee involvement spans interdisciplinary projects in fluid dynamics and AI. Grants & Software: Lead PI for NSF-funded projects on neural representation learning for turbulent flows. Developed software tools like spKDMD and Warp-DG for dynamics analysis and CFD simulations. Labs & Collaborations: Collaborates with institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory and actively participates in conferences (e.g., AIAA SciTech, SIAM). His research bridges computational science, machine learning, and fluid dynamics to address complex nonlinear systems.

• Particle and high energy physics
• Astronomical sciences
• Nuclear and plasma physics
• +3 more

Wayne Springer is a Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Utah, with a career spanning over 25 years. He has been actively involved in experimental particle astrophysics, ultra-high-energy cosmic ray (UHECR) physics, and gamma-ray astronomy. Ph.D. in Physics from University of Maryland (1991) B.S. in Physics from University of Maryland (1985) Postdoctoral training at University of Maryland and University of Alberta His research focuses on particle astrophysics, cosmic ray detection, and gamma-ray astronomy. He has made significant contributions to the development of the HiRes and Telescope Array cosmic ray observatories, as well as the HAWC and SWGO gamma-ray observatories. His recent work includes deployment of the Trinity neutrino detector prototype and serving as SWGO project manager for Chile site infrastructure. Article trends show strong emphasis on TeV gamma-ray observations (HAWC, SWGO), cosmic ray diffusion mechanisms, dark matter searches, and high-energy astrophysical source characterization (pulsars, microquasars, supernova remnants). He has secured multiple NSF grants for particle astrophysics research and leads detector working groups in international collaborations. Professor Springer actively participates in astronomy outreach, co-developing observatories and implementing computational physics teaching tools with Gradescope auto-graders for enhanced pedagogy. His work bridges experimental high-energy physics, detector development, and multiwavelength astrophysical studies.

• Micro- and Nanosystems Engineering
• Photonics
• MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems)
• +5 more

Niels Quack is an Associate Professor in Micro- and Nanosystems at The University of Sydney's School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering. He joined the university in 2022 after serving as an SNSF Assistant Professor at EPFL (Switzerland). His roles include Academic Director of the Research and Prototype Foundry and membership in the University of Sydney Nano Institute. He holds a Dr.Sc. from ETH Zurich and an M.Sc. from EPFL. His research focuses on micro- and nanosystems engineering, integrating mechanics and photonics at the microscale. Key applications include fiber-optical communication, quantum sensing, and integrated photonics using diamond and silicon materials. Quack has pioneered silicon photonic MEMS and diamond micro-optics, with over 100 publications in journals like ACS Photonics , Optics Letters , and Nanoscale . He leads international collaborations with institutions like Ghent University (Belgium) and EPFL (Switzerland), and serves on editorial boards for IEEE Journal of Microelectromechanical Systems and SPIE Journal of Optical Microsystems . His awards include the Optica Senior Member distinction (2023) and Sydney Research Accelerator Prize (2023). Quack supervises PhD and Master's students in advanced micro- and nanosystems design, offering projects in programmable photonics and diamond-based biosensors. He actively recruits postdoctoral researchers and advises on funded projects like 'Nurturing Commercialization Opportunities for Multipoint Fiber-Optical Pressure Sensors.' His lab develops cutting-edge technologies such as vacuum-sealed silicon photonic MEMS and diamond nanopillar arrays, advancing applications in quantum sensing and optical communication systems.

Dennis G. WhyteView profile

Professor

• Magnetic Fusion Energy
• Plasma-Surface Interactions
• Accelerators and Surface Analysis
• +3 more

Dennis G. Whyte is the Hitachi America Professor of Engineering at MIT, leading the Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC) and the SPARC fusion project in collaboration with Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). He holds a BEng from the University of Saskatchewan, and an MS and PhD from Université du Québec. His research focuses on magnetic fusion energy, plasma-surface interactions, and accelerator-based material analysis. Notable awards include the Fusion Power Associates Leadership Award (2018) and the Nuclear Fusion Journal Prize. He teaches courses on fusion energy and technology, including 22.62 and 22.63. His work on SPARC aims to achieve net fusion energy through advanced high-field superconducting magnets, a breakthrough validated in 2021 with a 20-tesla magnet demonstration. Research interests span boundary plasma physics in tokamaks, plasma diagnostics, and fusion reactor design. He has pioneered concepts like the ARC power plant and liquid blankets, emerging from student design courses he led. Over 300 publications and interdisciplinary collaborations highlight his contributions to fusion’s practical application. Grants and industry partnerships reflect his push to accelerate fusion energy’s commercialization, positioning SPARC as a pivotal step toward sustainable clean energy. Labs and teams include the PSFC and CFS collaborations, emphasizing rapid experimentation and modular design. His leadership in national and international panels underscores fusion’s global strategic importance. Recent projects include the MIT-CFS collaboration’s 20T magnet milestone, advancing fusion toward grid-readiness by 2025.

• Plasma Physics
• Laser-Plasma Acceleration
• Nanomaterials in Accelerators
• +3 more

Aakash Sahai is an Assistant Research Professor in the CEDC-Electrical Engineering department at the University of Colorado Denver - Denver Campus. His research focuses on advancing plasma physics, laser-plasma interactions, and nanoplasmonic technologies for high-energy particle acceleration. He is actively involved in designing novel accelerator concepts, such as nanostructure-based plasmonic accelerators capable of achieving extreme electric fields (PetaVolts/meter). His work bridges theoretical, computational, and experimental approaches to address challenges in high-gradient acceleration, plasma wakefields, and extreme nanoscience. Key research interests include laser-driven plasma acceleration, plasmonic field enhancement in nanostructures, and applications of particle beams in medical and high-energy physics. He collaborates on projects like the EuPRAXIA design study, aiming to develop compact, cost-efficient particle sources. His contributions span experimental setups, computational modeling, and innovative methodologies for radio transmission through plasmas and particle beam processing. Notable achievements include pioneering studies on relativistic surface plasmons, PetaVolt plasmonics, and optimizing laser-plasma interactions for proton/ion acceleration. His research has implications for next-generation accelerators, compact X-ray sources, and advanced plasma diagnostics. Sahai’s interdisciplinary approach integrates electrical engineering, material science, and high-energy physics to push the boundaries of accelerator technology. Advising and grants: No formal advisees or grant details listed. His work is supported by collaborations and institutional resources, including participation in national and international initiatives like Snowmass workshops. Labs/Teams: Active contributor to the EuPRAXIA consortium and affiliated with plasma physics and accelerator research groups at University of Colorado Denver.

Colby HaggertyView profile

Assistant Professor

• Plasma Physics
• Collisionless Shocks
• Energetic Particle Acceleration
• +4 more

Colby Haggerty is an Assistant Professor at the Institute for Astronomy (IfA Mānoa) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He specializes in computational plasma physics, focusing on magnetospheric, heliospheric, and astrophysical systems. His research emphasizes collisionless plasma shocks, magnetic reconnection, and kinetic plasma turbulence. He holds a Ph.D. in Plasma Physics from the University of Delaware (2017) and conducted postdoctoral work at the University of Chicago (2017–2021). His work bridges theory, numerical simulations, and observational data analysis using advanced computational tools like Python, C++, Fortran, and MPI/OpenMP frameworks. Research Interests: He investigates collisionless plasma shocks and energetic particle acceleration (e.g., Earth’s bow shock, coronal mass ejections), plasma instabilities, magnetic reconnection dynamics, and the role of turbulence in energy dissipation. His studies often involve hybrid and particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations to model cosmic phenomena like supernova remnants and solar wind interactions. Articles & Trends: His recent publications highlight advancements in understanding shock-drift acceleration mechanisms, the saturation of plasma instabilities (e.g., Bell instability), and scaling laws for magnetic reconnection in asymmetric and relativistic regimes. Collaborations with institutions like NASA Goddard, Columbia University, and the University of Chicago underscore his interdisciplinary approach. He has also contributed to developing Python-based plasma physics tools (e.g., PlasmaPy) for the scientific community. Grants & Impact: His CAREER award (2024) supports studies on collisionless magnetic reconnection as a heliospheric process. He emphasizes computational methods and educational outreach, reflecting his dual focus on advancing science and training future researchers. Labs & Teams: While no specific lab is named, his work relies on collaborative networks with leading institutions, leveraging state-of-the-art simulation infrastructure to tackle complex plasma problems.

Stefano MarkidisView profile

Professor

• High-Performance Computing
• Quantum Computing
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• +5 more

Stefano Markidis is a Professor of Computer Science at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, affiliated with the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Digital Futures Faculty. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MS from Politecnico di Torino. His research focuses on high-performance computing systems, including supercomputers and quantum computers, with expertise in plasma simulations, quantum algorithms, and scalable computational frameworks. Markidis leads the development of the Neko framework for high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and the iPIC3D particle-in-cell code for plasma physics. He teaches courses such as Quantum Computing for Computer Scientists, High-Performance Computing, and Applied GPU Programming. His work addresses exascale computing challenges, including optimizing algorithms for GPUs, quantum systems, and distributed architectures. Key research interests include: Parallel Programming Models and HPC Frameworks Quantum Computing Applications in Scientific Simulations Physics-Informed Machine Learning Exascale System Optimization Turbulence Modeling and Plasma Dynamics His publications span over 100 articles in journals like Journal of Computational Physics and Scientific Reports , focusing on topics such as scalable CFD, quantum neural networks, and plasma simulation techniques. He has advised numerous students in these areas. Markidis collaborates with institutions like Los Alamos National Laboratory and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden through the Digital Futures initiative, aiming to solve societal challenges via digital technologies.

Janie McClurkin MooreView profile

Assistant Professor

• Post-harvest treatment technologies
• Bioprocess engineering
• Biomass valorization
• +8 more

Dr. Janie McClurkin Moore is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University, part of the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Her research focuses on post-harvest technologies, food safety, and innovative engineering education strategies. She holds a PhD in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University and has extensive expertise in applying cold plasma technology to agricultural challenges. Education: B.S., Bio-Environmental Engineering, North Carolina A&T State University (2006) M.S.A.B.E., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University (2009) Ph.D., Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University (2015) Research interests span post-harvest treatment innovations, biomass valorization, and educational methodologies. Her work emphasizes non-thermal plasma applications for food safety, mycotoxin mitigation, and sustainable agriculture practices. Publications reveal a strong focus on plasma technology for pest control, food preservation, and hydroponic systems. Her engineering education research explores inclusive pedagogy and curriculum development in diverse educational settings. Advising and grants include contributions to the NSF Convergence Accelerator project addressing food security in extreme environments. She is affiliated with Texas A&M AgriLife Research, advancing applied agricultural solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration.

David A. HammerView profile

Professor

• Plasma Physics
• High Energy Density Plasma Physics
• Nuclear Energy Engineering
• +12 more

David A. Hammer is the J. Carlton Ward, Jr., Professor of Nuclear Energy Engineering and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell University's College of Engineering. He has been a faculty member since 1977 and has held visiting positions at Imperial College London, Applied Materials, Inc., and the Paris Observatory. His work bridges nuclear engineering, plasma physics, and electromagnetics. His research focuses on high energy density plasmas generated by pulsed power systems, particularly through wire explosions, X-pinches, and gas-puff Z-pinches. Key areas include inertial confinement fusion, magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, and plasma diagnostics using visible and X-ray spectroscopy, laser-based methods, and electro-optical instruments. He also explores the application of X-pinch radiation for biomedical radiography. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on Z-pinch and hybrid X-pinch dynamics, plasma turbulence, magnetic field diagnostics using Faraday rotation and Zeeman splitting, and the development of advanced imaging and spectroscopic techniques. His work frequently involves the COBRA pulsed-power generator and addresses fundamental questions in plasma stability, implosion dynamics, and radiative collapse. Distinguished Career Award, Fusion Power Associates Board of Directors (2018) Cornell College of Engineering Teaching Award (2006, 1998) Cornell IEEE Professor of the Year Award (2006) McCormack Advising Award (2005) IEEE Plasma Science and Applications Committee Award (2004) Hammer has advised numerous graduate students and led experimental campaigns involving plasma diagnostics, liner implosions, and laboratory astrophysics. His work is supported by grants from agencies interested in fusion energy, plasma science, and advanced diagnostics. He has developed innovative platforms, including 3D-printed plasma loads, to study turbulent plasma jets and magnetization. His lab at Cornell is a key facility for high-energy-density plasma research. He leads a research group focused on plasma diagnostics and pulsed power experiments, operating the COBRA generator and developing novel measurement techniques. His team investigates plasma instabilities, magnetic field generation, and the transition from radial implosions to collimated jets, with implications for both fusion and astrophysics.

• Turbulence Modeling
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• Large Eddy Simulation (LES)
• +7 more

Lars Davidson is a Professor in the Department of Fluid Dynamics at Chalmers University of Technology. His research focuses on numerical simulations of fluid flow and heat transfer, with an emphasis on turbulence modeling for Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and hybrid LES/RANS methods. He has developed computational codes CALC-BFC and CALC-LES based on finite-volume techniques, and recently integrated machine learning to enhance wall functions and turbulence models. Key projects include Hybrid LES/RANS for wall-bounded flows Machine learning applications in fluid dynamics Aeroacoustic noise reduction in automotive and aerospace systems Wind turbine load analysis in forested regions . His publications span 302 articles in journals and conferences, with recent work on Neural networks for turbulence closure Plasma actuators for drag reduction Lattice Boltzmann wall-modeled LES . Collaborations include teams at Volvo, Siemens, and international research groups.

Jianqi XiView profile

Assistant Professor

• Nuclear Materials
• Fusion Materials
• Radiation Effects
• +5 more

Jianqi Xi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with The Grainger College of Engineering. His research focuses on nuclear materials, combining multiscale modeling with experimental techniques to understand material degradation under radiation and corrosive environments. He holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville (2017). Before joining UIUC, he held postdoctoral and industry positions at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and ThermoFisher Scientific. Research Interests: Fusion Materials Design Radiation-Corrosion Synergy Multiscale Modeling of Microstructure Evolution Data-Driven Materials Innovation Molten Salt Corrosion Recent publications emphasize atomic-scale mechanisms in silicon carbide (SiC) corrosion, radiation damage mitigation, and advanced ceramics design. His work bridges computational simulations with experimental validation to address challenges in nuclear energy systems. Awards include the Joseph E. Spruiell Award (2017) and recognition as an Outstanding Reviewer (2018). He leads the Modeling of Nuclear Materials (MNM) Group , focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to accelerate material discovery for next-generation nuclear reactors. Current openings exist for researchers interested in computational materials science and experimental collaborations.