Suo Yang

Suo Yang is the Richard & Barbara Nelson Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Minnesota, College of Science and Engineering. He is an active researcher in combustion, plasma-assisted technologies, and high-speed reacting flows, with a strong focus on sustainable and high-performance propulsion systems. He is currently accepting PhD students and leads multiple externally funded research projects.

Education:

• PhD in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017
• MS in Computational Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015
• BS in Mathematics & Applied Mathematics, Zhejiang University, 2011

His research interests lie at the intersection of combustion science, plasma physics, and computational fluid dynamics. He investigates plasma-assisted ammonia combustion, transcritical fuel injection, detonation dynamics, and multi-fuel engine systems, contributing to sustainable energy and hypersonic technologies. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean energy and climate action.

The analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward ammonia-based fuels, non-equilibrium plasma applications, and high-fidelity modeling of complex reacting flows. His work integrates advanced numerical methods with experimental validation, focusing on ignition enhancement, flame stabilization, and emission reduction in next-generation propulsion systems.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• No specific awards or fellowships are listed in the provided text.

Research Advising and Grants:

Dr. Yang is actively mentoring PhD students and leading significant research initiatives. He serves as Principal Investigator (PI) on multiple grants from the U.S. Department of Defense (Air Force, Navy), the National Science Foundation, and industry partners. His funded projects include research on micro-jetting in detonations, plasma-assisted ammonia combustion, transcritical phase change, and multi-fuel engine control for unmanned systems. These projects reflect his leadership in advancing fundamental and applied combustion science.

Laboratories and Research Teams:

While specific lab names are not mentioned, Dr. Yang leads a research group focused on computational and experimental combustion at the University of Minnesota. His collaborations span institutions and include work with Spectral Energies, LLC, and researchers across mechanical and aerospace engineering disciplines. His team employs high-performance computing and advanced diagnostics to study complex flow and combustion phenomena.