Marc D. Polanka

Dr. Marc D. Polanka is a Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), part of the Graduate School of Engineering and Management. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and has a distinguished record of leadership, serving as the Faculty Council President and Faculty Advisor for the AFIT Student Section of AIAA.

• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Dayton, 1992
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 1993
• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas-Austin, 1999

Dr. Polanka's research is centered on advancing gas turbine propulsion technology, with a primary focus on combustion, heat transfer, and advanced instrumentation. He leads the Combustion Optimization And Laser (COAL) laboratory, where his team investigates cutting-edge concepts such as Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) and Ultra Compact Combustors for applications in APUs, afterburners, and scramjets. His work also encompasses the critical challenge of turbine film cooling under high fuel-air ratio conditions and the enhancement of small engine performance for unmanned aerial systems, including their operation at altitude and conversion to alternative fuels. His expertise extends to the aerodynamics and heat transfer of turbines, including film cooling and unsteady vane-rotor interactions.

His recent publications reflect a strong and consistent research trajectory in propulsion and thermal sciences. The articles demonstrate a deep integration of experimental and computational methods to solve complex problems in combustion dynamics, film cooling effectiveness, and small engine optimization. A significant trend is the investigation of pressure gain combustion via RDEs and the development of novel diagnostic techniques for high-temperature environments.

• Associate Fellow of AIAA
• Fellow of ASME
• Faculty Advisor, AFIT Student Section of AIAA
• Review Chair, ASME IGTI conference
• Former Chair, ASME K-14 Gas Turbine Heat Transfer Committee

Dr. Polanka has advised numerous PhD and MS students, many of whom are co-authors on his extensive publication list. His research has been supported by significant funding from the Air Force and other agencies, enabling advanced experimental facilities like the COAL lab. He has received a remarkable number of awards, including the Air Force Outstanding Science and Engineering Educator Award (2019), the ASME IGTI Outstanding Service Award (2020), and multiple first-place awards from AIAA for section leadership and service.

Dr. Polanka leads the Combustion Optimization And Laser (COAL) laboratory, a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to experimental combustion and heat transfer. The lab is the hub for his work on RDEs, ultra-compact combustors, and advanced turbine cooling, fostering a collaborative team of graduate students and researchers who are at the forefront of aerospace propulsion research.