Gaby Ciccarelli

Gaby Ciccarelli is an Assistant Professor at Queen's University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, where he has been since July 2000. His work focuses on combustion and explosion physics, including high-speed combustion phenomena like accelerated flames and detonation waves, as well as applied research in Pulse Detonation Engines and explosion prevention through the Explosion Physics and Prevention Laboratory in McLaughlin Hall.

• Education: PhD and Master's in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University, specializing in vapor explosions and shock wave physics
• Previous Role: Post Doctoral Fellow and Research Engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory (1991-2000)

At BNL, Dr. Ciccarelli worked on nuclear safety programs sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Japanese NUPEC, studying hydrogen explosion risks in nuclear plants using specialized facilities like the Small-Scale Developmental Apparatus (SSDA) and High-Temperature Combustion Facility (HTCF). Later, he contributed to chemical process safety research with DuPont and co-developed the RAPTOR device for concrete pavement disruption, earning the 2000 Discover Magazine Award for Technical Innovation.

Research interests combine fundamental studies of combustion dynamics with practical applications in energy systems and industrial safety. His laboratory employs advanced diagnostics to investigate explosion mechanisms and mitigation strategies.

• Key Contributions:
  • Hydrogen explosion risk analysis in nuclear plants
  • Development of high-temperature combustion testing facilities
  • Chemical process safety research for DuPont
  • Concrete disruption technology through RAPTOR

Dr. Ciccarelli teaches thermal/fluids engineering courses and maintains active collaborations with industry partners to advance explosion prevention technologies.