David Warsinger

David Warsinger is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University's College of Engineering, located in West Lafayette, IN. He holds a Ph.D. from MIT and degrees from Cornell University. His research focuses on thermofluids, nanotechnology, and membrane science applied to water treatment, energy systems, and sustainable technologies. Key areas include desalination innovation, the water-food-energy nexus, and HVAC efficiency. He leads the Warsinger Lab, which develops advanced membrane materials, dehumidification systems, and renewable energy integration for desalination.

Education: Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering (MIT), M.Eng. and B.S. (Cornell University). Awards include the MIT Outstanding UROP Mentor (2015), UCOWR Dissertation Award (2016), and Purdue's Early Career Teaching Award (2025). His lab collaborates on grants from DOE, NSF, and industry, with recent focus on batch reverse osmosis, solar desalination, and membrane-based HVAC systems.

Research emphasizes high-impact applications like atmospheric water harvesting, photocatalytic air purification, and CO₂ removal for space exploration. The lab's capabilities include membrane testing, multiphysics modeling, and partnerships with ARUP for sustainable building design. Current projects include NSF-funded ReNEW initiatives and innovations in wave-powered desalination.

Awards include over $4M in grants, including a 2025 $75k Showalter Grant and a 2022 DOE $2.4M award. His lab publishes in top journals and presents at ASME, NAMS, and international conferences. Undergraduate and graduate training emphasizes diversity and entrepreneurship, with alumni securing roles at top universities and companies like SpaceX.