John Hunter MackView profile
Professor
John Hunter Mack serves as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Massachusetts Lowell within the Francis College of Engineering. His research addresses critical challenges in energy conversion, transportation systems, and sustainable fuel development through interdisciplinary approaches combining computational modeling, machine learning, and experimental diagnostics. Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of California at Berkeley B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis B.A. in Physics, Hendrix College Professor Mack's research program focuses on overcoming scientific barriers in energy and transportation through transformative approaches to combustion science and energy conversion. His work spans fundamental investigations of thermal-fluid-chemical processes in practical devices including internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and aerospace propulsion systems. Key research thrusts include biofuel development using artificial neural networks for property prediction, energy storage solutions for renewable integration, combustion-assisted material synthesis, and homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) control strategies. The research employs advanced methodologies such as optical diagnostics, constant volume combustion chambers, chemical kinetics modeling, and machine learning optimization. As director of the Energy and Combustion Research Laboratory (ECRL), Professor Mack leads a multidisciplinary team investigating alternative fuels, novel thermodynamic cycles, and sustainable energy solutions. His laboratory maintains active collaborations with government agencies and industry partners to accelerate innovation in low-carbon energy technologies. Professor Mack mentors numerous graduate students across mechanical engineering and energy engineering programs, supervising research in combustion diagnostics, machine learning applications for fuel properties, and advanced propulsion systems. His teaching portfolio includes Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Capstone Design, Green Combustion & Biofuels, and Combustion Modeling courses that integrate cutting-edge research into the classroom.
