Alan McGaughey

Alan McGaughey is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering. He leads the Nanoscale Transport Phenomena Laboratory, where his research bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, physics, and chemistry to study atomic-level transport of mass, momentum, and energy. His work emphasizes phonon, photon, electron, and fluid particle dynamics using advanced simulation techniques.

• Bachelor of Engineering, McMaster University (1998)
• Master of Applied Science, University of Toronto (2000)
• Ph.D., University of Michigan (2004)
• Post-doctoral training, University of Florida

Alan McGaughey's research interests center on nanoscale thermal transport, with applications in energy technologies, materials for energy efficiency, and multiscale modeling. His lab develops molecular- and meso-scale simulation methods, including molecular dynamics, lattice dynamics, density functional theory, and Boltzmann transport equation modeling. Key research areas include thermal transport in nanostructures and interfaces, hybrid organic-inorganic materials, electrocaloric cooling, and liquid-vapor phase change. The team also applies machine learning to accelerate materials discovery and property prediction.

The recent publications (2023–2025) reflect a strong focus on thermal conductivity prediction in diverse systems—from polymers and 2D materials to disordered crystals and thin films. The work integrates first-principles simulations, uncertainty quantification, and machine learning to uncover fundamental mechanisms of phonon transport and interfacial heat transfer. A recurring theme is the role of structural disorder—static, dynamic, or rotational—in modulating thermal properties.

• Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program (2009)
• Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award (2014)
• National Academy of Engineering’s Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium (2015)
• Professor of the Year by MechE seniors (2012, 2015, 2017)
• 2019 & 2024 College of Engineering Faculty Awards
• 2021 Viskanta Fellowship, Purdue University

McGaughey has advised numerous Ph.D. and Master’s students, many of whom have gone on to impactful research careers. His group has secured funding from agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, including Scott Institute seed grants for energy research. He collaborates extensively with experimentalists, including Jonathan Malen, Reeja Jayan, Chris Wilmer, and others, ensuring strong theory-experiment integration. He is also involved in educational innovation and was named faculty chair-elect for the College of Engineering.

The Nanoscale Transport Phenomena Laboratory is a vibrant research group that combines computational modeling with interdisciplinary collaboration to advance fundamental understanding and enable next-generation thermal materials and devices.