Fletcher Miller

Dr. Fletcher Miller is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University (SDSU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. His research focuses on combustion science, fire dynamics in microgravity environments, and solar energy systems. He leads studies on material flammability, thermal energy storage, and advanced receiver technologies for concentrated solar power plants. His work includes experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to investigate flame spread and extinction in microgravity conditions. Dr. Miller's expertise spans fluid dynamics modeling, radiative heat transfer, and catalytic combustion processes. He collaborates on projects like the Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) experiments and develops innovative thermal storage solutions for high-temperature applications.

Key research themes include: flame spread mechanisms in low-gravity environments, combustion of solid fuels under varying atmospheric conditions, and solar thermal energy systems integration. His contributions bridge fundamental combustion science with practical applications in aerospace safety and renewable energy technologies. Dr. Miller’s laboratory (solar.sdsu.edu) focuses on advancing solar receiver design, hybrid energy systems, and microgravity fire safety protocols. His publications emphasize experimental validation alongside computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to understand complex thermal and chemical interactions.

Recent work highlights include analyzing flame regression in narrow channel apparatuses, optimizing small particle heat exchange receivers for solar towers, and investigating the effects of gap geometry on flame dynamics. These studies aim to improve material flammability standards for space exploration and enhance the efficiency of solar thermal power generation systems.