William Ristenpart

William Ristenpart is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Davis, and Director of the UC Davis Coffee Center. His research focuses on transport phenomena, colloid science, electrokinetics, and food science, with recent work on aerosol dynamics, granular materials, and coffee science. He leads a lab equipped with high-speed cameras and advanced optical systems to study complex fluid dynamics and particle interactions.

Ristenpart’s research interests span diverse applications, including droplet behavior in electric fields, vocal fold aerosol formation, and coffee brewing science. He has pioneered studies on the physics of coffee roasting, flavor profiles, and brewing techniques. His work also addresses practical challenges like mask efficacy in reducing aerosol transmission and optimizing lab-on-a-chip devices using vibrational forces.

His publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches, blending engineering principles with food science and biomedical applications. Notable contributions include modeling expiratory aerosols during speech, optimizing facemask designs, and developing theoretical frameworks for vibrational particle manipulation. The Coffee Center, under his leadership, bridges academic research with industry needs in coffee production and sensory analysis.

Ristenpart’s teaching innovations, such as the Design of Coffee course, engage over 1,800 students annually, emphasizing hands-on learning in chemical engineering principles. His lab’s equipment includes Phantom high-speed cameras (100,000 fps), microscopes, and laser systems to capture dynamic phenomena at unprecedented resolution.