Richard M. Lueptow

Richard M. Lueptow is the Senior Associate Dean at the McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University. He serves as a principal advisor to the dean, overseeing faculty hiring, space management, and research center operations. As a Professor of Mechanical Engineering since 1988, he combines leadership with research expertise in granular materials, fluid dynamics, and nanofiltration membranes.

Education: B.S. in Engineering from Michigan Technological University; S.M. and Sc.D. in Mechanical Engineering from MIT.

Research focuses on granular segregation mechanisms, fluid-particle interactions, and membrane technologies for environmental applications. His work bridges fundamental physics with industrial challenges, such as optimizing particle separation and lithium recovery systems. Recent studies explore lift forces in granular flows and charge effects in nanofiltration membranes.

Lueptow’s articles highlight advancements in granular flow modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, and device innovations for material processing. His contributions span academia and industry, supported by grants like GOALI (Granular and Organized Applications in Learning and Innovation).

He leads interdisciplinary teams advancing particulate systems dynamics and collaborates on cutting-edge projects like chaotic flow particle capture and non-segregating granular mixture design. His research emphasizes predictive modeling and real-world applications in energy, environment, and manufacturing sectors.