معرفی
Dr. Wilhelm Alexander Friess is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maine's Maine College of Engineering and Computing. He earned his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1997. His academic career includes prior positions at Rochester Institute of Technology's Dubai Campus (2009-2012) and Dubai Aerospace Enterprise University (2007-2008), complemented by extensive industry experience in renewable energy and aerospace engineering.
Dr. Friess teaches courses in engineering design with focus areas in:
- Engineering Graphics and CAD
- Statics, Dynamics, and Strength of Materials
- Fixed Wing Aircraft Design
- Capstone Design I & II
His research spans three primary domains:
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), particularly lighter-than-air systems for remote sensing applications
- Engineering education innovation in capstone design and spatial visualization
- Energy efficiency in buildings, including advanced infiltration diagnostics for extreme climates
Recent publications highlight diverse applications across aerospace engineering, sustainable building design, and engineering pedagogy. His capstone research explores innovative teaching methods like continuous peer evaluation and 3D-printed manipulatives, while his energy research addresses passive envelope measures and retrofit viability in challenging environments like Dubai.
Dr. Friess maintains active research collaborations with NASA, the Maine Space Grant Consortium, USDA/ARS, and multiple universities. He has supervised numerous student projects in UAV development, energy systems, and sports engineering. Professional service includes roles as ABET program evaluator, editorial board member for the Journal of Sports Engineering, and memberships in ASEE and AIAA.
