Franklin Goldsmith

Franklin Goldsmith serves as Associate Professor of Engineering within Brown University's School of Engineering, where his research bridges fundamental chemical kinetics with practical combustion applications. His work directly impacts energy conversion technologies and emission reduction strategies through rigorous investigation of reaction mechanisms.

His academic foundation includes:

• PhD in Chemical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2010)
• BS in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University (2003)
• BA in Chemistry from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1998)

Goldsmith's research program centers on radical reaction kinetics and low-temperature oxidation phenomena, employing both computational master equation modeling and experimental techniques like shock tube spectroscopy and synchrotron photoionization. His investigations into non-Boltzmann energy distributions and pressure-dependent rate coefficients have established new frameworks for understanding ignition chemistry. The Thermochemistry for Combustion Database project exemplifies his commitment to foundational data resources for the field.

Analysis of his publication record reveals three dominant research thrusts: (1) detailed kinetic modeling of hydrocarbon oxidation, particularly propane systems; (2) development of computational methodologies for pressure-dependent rate estimation; and (3) fundamental studies of radical-molecule interactions. His work consistently integrates high-precision experimental validation with theoretical frameworks, as evidenced by collaborations with national laboratories.

Goldsmith teaches Brown's core chemical engineering curriculum including ENGN 1120 (Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design) and ENGN 1130 (Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics), alongside specialized graduate courses in heterogeneous catalysis (ENGN 2751) and chemically reacting flow (ENGN 2910Q). His educational approach emphasizes the connection between molecular-scale kinetics and reactor design principles.

His research group maintains active collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory (Klippenstein), MIT (Green), and Sandia National Laboratories (Taatjes), focusing on multiscale informatics for complex reaction systems. Current projects investigate biomass-derived fuel combustion and catalytic partial oxidation mechanisms using spatially resolved experimental techniques.