Roger Forstner is a Professor in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich, holding the designated Professorship for Aerospace Engineering (LRT.9.1). Contact details: Office: Building 42, Room 042/0013 Phone: +49 89 6004-4575 Email: raumfahrt@unibw.de His research spans the comprehensive domain of Aerospace Engineering, with emphasis on space systems design, propulsion technologies, and atmospheric/spaceflight dynamics. As a core faculty member, Professor Forstner drives academic programs focused on spacecraft development and orbital mechanics, integrating theoretical frameworks with practical aerospace applications for military and civilian contexts.
Fabio Celani is an Associate Professor at Sapienza University of Rome, specifically at the School of Aerospace Engineering. He has held this position since 2022, following his tenure as a researcher at the same institution from 2010 to 2022. His academic foundation was established with a distinguished Laurea degree in electronic engineering with highest honors from Sapienza University of Rome in 1996, followed by a master's and PhD in systems science and mathematics from Washington University in St. Louis in 1999 and 2003, respectively. His educational background includes: Laurea con lode in ingegneria elettronica, Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" (1996) Master in systems science and mathematics, Washington University in St. Louis (1999) PhD in systems science and mathematics, Washington University in St. Louis (2003) Celani's research primarily focuses on aerospace vehicle control, with particular emphasis on spacecraft attitude stabilization using magnetorquers, lunar descent and landing guidance systems, and orbit transfer optimization. His work bridges theoretical control systems with practical aerospace applications, resulting in numerous publications in prestigious journals such as Acta Astronautica, Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, and Aerospace. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent specialization in spacecraft attitude control systems, with growing emphasis on lunar mission applications. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of optimization theory with practical spacecraft control challenges. The recurring themes across his publications include magnetic control systems, explicit guidance algorithms, and advanced motion planning techniques for spacecraft. His editorial contributions include: Topic editor of Aerospace journal (since 2020) Former associate editor of International Journal of Automation and Computing (2011-2013) Member of the editorial committee of International Journal of Mechatronics and Automation Celani has maintained strong international academic connections throughout his career, having served as a visiting researcher at the Mittag-Leffler Institute in Sweden (2003) and Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences in India (2019). His early career included post-doctoral positions at the Center for Ships and Ocean Structures at NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology (2003-2005) and at Sapienza University's Department of Computer and Systematics (2005-2009) under the "Rientro dei Cervelli" program. His office is located in the Plasma Building at via Salaria 851, room 102, at Sapienza University.
Dr. Khoa Nguyen is an ARC DECRA Fellow (2024-2027) at Griffith University's School of Engineering and Built Environment. He is a member of both the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute (QUATRI) and the Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre. His research focuses on micro and nanoscale electronics for physical and biological sensing applications, particularly using wide bandgap semiconductors like silicon carbide. Dr. Nguyen has authored over 50 high-impact journal papers, with many published in top 10% journals according to Scopus, including publications in PNAS, ACS Nano, and Nature Communications. Dr. Nguyen's educational background includes: PhD in Engineering from Griffith University (2015-2018) Master of Engineering from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (2009-2011) Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) from Hanoi University of Science and Technology (2004-2009) Dr. Nguyen's research centers on the innovation and development of micro and nano-scaled electronics devices for emerging applications in physical and biological sensing. His work particularly focuses on silicon carbide-based technologies for harsh environment applications, flexible bioelectronics, and wearable sensors. He has made significant contributions to the field of wide bandgap semiconductor devices, with applications ranging from implantable medical devices to environmental monitoring systems. His interdisciplinary approach combines materials science, electrical engineering, and biomedical applications to create novel sensing platforms that can operate in challenging conditions where conventional silicon-based devices would fail. Analysis of Dr. Nguyen's recent publications reveals a strong focus on silicon carbide technology for bioelectronic applications, with significant work on flexible electrode arrays, wearable biosensors, and microfluidic systems. His research demonstrates a clear trajectory toward developing practical, implantable sensing solutions with emphasis on reliability and performance in challenging environments. The publications span multiple high-impact journals across materials science, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering disciplines, indicating the interdisciplinary nature and broad impact of his work. Dr. Nguyen has received notable recognition including: ARC DECRA Fellowship (2024-2027) 'Rising Stars' recognition among future leaders in nanotechnology and sensors research by Australian Research Magazine (2020) As an academic supervisor, Dr. Nguyen currently advises multiple doctoral students working on silicon carbide sensors, flexible bioelectronics, and wearable sensing technologies. His research is supported by several significant grants including an ARC DECRA grant titled 'Advancing bioelectronics with silicon carbide on microfluidics' (2024-2027) and an internal Griffith University grant 'Low dimensional lab-on-chip silicon carbide biomolecular sensors for early disease detection' (2023-2024). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Dr. Nguyen is actively involved with the Queensland Micro and Nanotechnology Centre and the Queensland Quantum and Advanced Technologies Research Institute, where he collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to advance micro and nanoscale technologies for practical applications in healthcare monitoring, environmental sensing, and industrial applications requiring robust electronic systems.
Dr. Patrick Palmer is a Professor and Graduate Student Supervisor in the School of Mechatronic Systems Engineering at Simon Fraser University (SFU), Vancouver, Canada. He holds a PhD from Imperial College London (UK) and an M.A. from the University of Cambridge (UK). Previously, he was a faculty member at the University of Cambridge and an Adjunct Professor at the University of British Columbia. He is an Emeritus Fellow of St Catharine's College, Cambridge. His research focuses on power semiconductor devices, wide bandgap technologies, sustainable energy systems, and high-power applications such as ship propulsion and electric vehicles. He teaches courses including MSE 353 (Power Electronics and Electrical Motors) and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications in power electronics and related fields. Education: Ph.D., Imperial College London, UK M.A., University of Cambridge, UK B.Sc. (Eng), Imperial College London, UK Research Interests: Power Semiconductor Devices (WBG devices) High-Power Converters Grid Integration for Renewable Energy Electric Vehicle and Ship Propulsion Systems Multi-Physics Simulation and Optimization Publications reflect a strong focus on semiconductor device modeling, high-power switching, and energy-efficient systems. He actively supervises graduate students in wide bandgap device applications and distributed power systems. He is affiliated with the Sustainable Energy Engineering program at SFU and has collaborated on industry 4.0 initiatives through SFU’s technical training programs. His work bridges academic research with practical engineering challenges in advanced manufacturing and smart grids.
Carl Knowlen is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington. He holds a PhD from the same institution, specializing in ram accelerators and hypervelocity propulsion. His roles include teaching and leading experimental research in shockwave reactors, detonation engines, and green propellant technologies. Knowlen has collaborated internationally, including a 3-month stint in Japan (1996), and transitioned from postdoctoral roles to senior research positions before his current faculty appointment in 2015. Education: PhD (1991), MSAA (1985), BSAA (1983) in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington. Research focuses on energy conversion, combustion physics, and hypervelocity propulsion systems. Key areas include ram accelerators for space launch applications, rotating detonation engines (RDEs), and cryogenic energy storage. His work emphasizes integrated experimental and computational modeling, with notable contributions to baffled-tube ram accelerator design and detonation wave dynamics. Recent studies address pre-ignition propellant mixing in RDEs and scaling effects in rocket propulsion systems. Students advised include Quentin Roberts (AIAA Zarem award winner) and Carter Vu (NSF GRFP recipient). Research facilities utilized include the Kirsten Wind Tunnel and experimental setups for RDE combustor testing. Labs/Teams: Active in the UW Ram Accelerator Program and collaborations with Tohoku/Hiroshima Universities. Current projects include shockwave reactors for hydrocarbon upgrading and green microthrusters for CubeSats.
Prof. Marco Ricotti is a Professor at Politecnico di Milano specializing in nuclear engineering with core expertise in Thermal Fluid Dynamics (modelling & experimental), Passive Safety Systems, and Economics of Nuclear Energy. His research directly impacts Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development, nuclear safety validation, and decommissioning technologies. As a key contributor to the Consorzio Interuniversitario per la Ricerca TEcnologica Nucleare (CIRTEN), he supports the Italian National Repository of radioactive waste and participates in European initiatives like the TANDEM Euratom project. Ricotti's research program bridges fundamental thermal-hydraulic phenomena with practical nuclear applications. His work on passive safety systems includes experimental validation of decay heat removal mechanisms and two-phase flow behavior in compact heat exchangers. Economic analyses of SMRs, lead fast reactors, and hybrid energy systems form another critical pillar, addressing cost competitiveness and grid integration challenges. Recent efforts increasingly focus on nuclear decommissioning techniques for graphite-moderated reactors and space nuclear applications. Analysis of Ricotti's 2024-2025 publications reveals concentrated SMR research across three interconnected domains: thermal-hydraulic safety validation (35% of output), economic viability studies (30%), and innovative applications like space reactors and decommissioning technologies (35%). His work consistently emphasizes experimental verification of passive safety systems while exploring synergies between nuclear and renewable energy in multipurpose systems for decarbonization. No scientific awards were documented in the source material. Information regarding student advising or specific research grants was not provided in available records. Ricotti actively contributes to CIRTEN's mission supporting Italy's radioactive waste repository Technology Park, with emphasis on graphite decommissioning and thermal-hydraulic testing. His leadership in the TANDEM Euratom project shapes European SMR licensing frameworks, while collaborations with SIET laboratory advance suppression pool safety validation. Current efforts also integrate nuclear systems with phase-change materials for district heating and seawater desalination applications.
Dr. Richard R. Neptune is a Professor and holder of the William and Bettye Nowlin Chair in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has been on faculty since 2001 and focuses on biomechanical research addressing movement disabilities through musculoskeletal modeling, experimental analyses, and advanced prosthetic/orthotic design. His work intersects rehabilitation engineering, sports biomechanics, and neuromotor control. Education: PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UC Davis. Research emphasizes locomotor impairments, prosthetic optimization, and additive manufacturing applications. Awards include NSF CAREER, Van C. Mow Medal (ASME), and Founders Award (ASB), alongside fellowships in both societies. Key collaborations: Medical University of South Carolina, VA Center for Limb Loss, Brooks Rehabilitation Lab leadership: Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab with 20+ current/past students/postdocs Recent publications (2018-2021) focus on wheelchair biomechanics, post-stroke gait recovery, and amputee locomotion dynamics. Active in NIH/DoD-funded projects addressing orthotic design and clinical applications.
Professor Venkat R. Subramanian holds the Ernest Dashiell Cockrell II Professorship in Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, affiliated with the Cockrell School of Engineering. He specializes in advanced materials science, complex systems, and electrochemical engineering, with a focus on battery technology and model-based design. His research group develops next-generation energy storage systems, particularly in lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries, emphasizing safety, longevity, and efficiency. He has pioneered fast-impedance simulation methods and robust solvers for battery models, improving battery life by 2x in 18Ah cells through model-based charging profiles. Education: B.Tech. in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering from Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), India (1997); Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Carolina (2001). Research Interests: Advanced battery management systems (BMS), capacity fade mechanisms, phase-field modeling, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and model-based design for next-gen energy storage. His work bridges fundamental science and engineering applications, addressing challenges in battery degradation, thermal management, and multi-scale modeling. Key Awards: Elected ECS Fellow; Past Chair of IEEE Division (Electrochemical Society); Past Technical Editor of Electrochemical Society; Past Chair of Area 1e: Electrochemical Engineering (AIChE). Lab Affiliation: M.A.P.L.E. Lab (Modeling and Analysis of Processes in Lithium Electrochemistry), focused on high-energy batteries for clean energy grids and transportation. The lab’s innovations include the fastest battery simulators and IP-protected solvers, contributing to safer and more efficient energy storage systems.
Professor Jonas Ringsberg is a leading academic in marine structural engineering and materials science at Chalmers University of Technology. He serves as the head of the Division of Marine Technology and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Ocean Engineering since 2024. His research focuses on structural integrity, Arctic engineering, sustainable propulsion systems, and autonomous shipping. He teaches on the Mobility Engineering MSc program, specializing in marine technology, and supervises students toward becoming naval architects. Research interests include wind-assisted ship propulsion, wave energy converters, computational fluid-structure interaction, and structural reliability of marine systems. He is a Fellow of SNAME and member of ISSC committees, contributing to global standards in fatigue analysis and ultimate strength testing. Recent work addresses challenges in zero-emission shipping, Arctic route optimization, and energy-efficient vessel design. Awards: SNAME Fellow (2020s) Professional Roles: ISSC Committee III.1 Chair (2018–2025), RINA Member Key Projects: SHARC collision risk analysis, WASP retrofitting studies, lightweight cruise ship design His 2023–2025 publications emphasize autonomous vessel navigation, wave energy park optimization, and cryogenic material testing. Collaborative efforts include co-simulation frameworks for marine systems and probabilistic analysis of ship-bridge collisions.
Ivan Stenius is a full-time Associate Professor at the Department of Engineering Mechanics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology. He holds a M.Sc. (2003) and Ph.D. (2009) in Lightweight Structures from KTH, with a licentiate degree (2007). His research focuses on composite materials, fluid-structure interactions, hydrodynamics, marine robotics, and model-based systems engineering. He leads the Swedish Maritime Robotics Centre (SMaRC), Sweden’s largest academic initiative in underwater robotics, and co-founded Zparq AB for marine electric propulsion. Education: M.Sc. in Lightweight Structures (KTH, 2003) Technical Licentiate in Lightweight Structures (KTH, 2007) Ph.D. in Hydroelasticity and Fluid-Structure Interactions (KTH, 2009) Research & Collaboration: Stenius develops advanced software tools with FMV and the Swedish Coast Guard. He leads cross-disciplinary projects involving computer vision, electrochemistry, and networked control. His work on hydrofoiling and electric propulsion has spun off Zparq AB. Recent projects include autonomous seaweed farm inspection, bioinspired underwater robots, and reinforcement learning for AUV maneuvering. Labs & Initiatives: PI of SMaRC, which integrates advanced robotics and maritime systems. Active in courses like Underwater Technology (SD2709) and Vehicle Engineering (SD1002).
Alex Alcocer is a Professor at the Department of Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Technology, Art and Design at OsloMet. His research focuses on marine technology, robotics, and autonomous systems, with emphasis on underwater gliders, unmanned vehicles, and sensor systems. He leads projects in composite hull design, control systems, and underwater communication technologies. Alcocer’s work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining materials science, hydrodynamics, and machine learning. His contributions include advancements in low-cost autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), composite material analysis for deep-sea applications, and innovative solutions for underwater navigation and positioning. He collaborates with institutions like the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and IEEE, contributing to international conferences and publications. Key research areas include: hydroacoustics, Kalman filter applications, dynamic simulation, and robotics. His recent projects involve developing low-cost observation systems (e.g., underwater cameras) and improving UAV-AUV coordination for environmental monitoring. He also explores optimization of miniature glider hydrodynamics and energy-efficient propulsion methods. Alcocer has authored over 21 scientific publications since 2002, with notable works on sensor placement for underwater positioning, control algorithms for robotic vehicles, and composite material durability under pressure. His applied research aims to bridge gaps between theoretical models and practical marine robotics applications.
Prof. Nathan Lazarus is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware. He holds a B.S.E. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania (2007), and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (2010 and 2012). Before joining UD's faculty in 2022, he conducted research at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL), where he pioneered breakthroughs in stretchable wireless power systems and 3D-printed electronics. His research focuses on unconventional materials and manufacturing techniques for wearable electronics, soft robotics, and energy systems. Key innovations include liquid metal-based stretchable inductors, ferrofluid-enhanced magnetic composites, and laser-fabricated 3D electronics. Lazarus has achieved record performance metrics in wireless power transmission efficiency and inductor quality factors. Major Research Themes: Stretchable Electromagnetic Devices, Additive Manufacturing for Electronics, Soft Robotics Actuators Notable Awards: PECASE (2019), ARL Honorary Engineering Award, Federal Career Excellence Award (Gold) Recent work spans self-folding metal origami, acoustic wireless power transfer, and piezoelectric energy harvesting systems. His lab emphasizes cross-disciplinary approaches to integrate materials science, mechanical engineering, and electronics for real-world applications.
Steve Gorrell is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU), College of Engineering. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University (2001), an M.S. from Virginia Tech (1990), and a B.S. from BYU (1988). Prior to his academic career, he served as a Senior Aerospace Engineer at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) from 1989 to 2007, where he conducted advanced research in propulsion and turbomachinery. Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, 2001 M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1990 B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University, 1988 His research is centered on experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with a strong focus on turbomachinery systems including compressors, turbines, and fans. He investigates unsteady flow phenomena such as stator-rotor interactions, inlet distortion, wake-shock dynamics, and cavitation. His work integrates high-fidelity CFD simulations with experimental techniques like Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to validate models and improve design methodologies. He also contributes to engineering education, particularly in collaborative and multi-university design projects. The most recent publications highlight a consistent trend in high-fidelity, time-accurate CFD analysis of unsteady flows in turbomachinery. Key themes include blade-row interactions, inlet distortion transfer, vortex dynamics, and feature extraction in simulations. His work frequently appears in ASME and AIAA journals and conferences, emphasizing both experimental validation and computational innovation. Notable awards include the Department of the Air Force Award for Civilian Achievement (2007), AIAA Associate Fellow (2007), AFRL Scientific/Technical Achievement Award (2006), and multiple honors for engineering education and collaboration (2013–2015). He also received the NASA Group Achievement Award (2003) and the Dayton-Cincinnati Aerospace Science Symposium Best Turbomachinery Paper (2002). Department of the Air Force Award for Civilian Achievement, 2007 AIAA Associate Fellow, 2007 AFRL Scientific/Technical Achievement Award, 2006 NASA Group Achievement Award, 2003 Best Paper, Dayton-Cincinnati Symposium, 2002 Outstanding Faculty Award, BYU ME, 2015 Best Overall Award, ASME IAM3D Challenge, 2014 AFOSR Summer Faculty Fellowship, 2013 Steve Gorrell has advised numerous graduate students on theses related to CFD, compressor and turbine design, and flow simulation. He has served as a principal investigator or collaborator on various research grants, particularly in high-performance computing and propulsion systems. His professional service includes editorial roles (Associate Editor, ASME, 2014–2018), committee leadership in AIAA and ASME, and extensive peer review for NSF, DOE, and other agencies. He has been actively involved in multi-university collaborative education initiatives, such as the PACE program. He leads a research group focused on computational and experimental fluid dynamics in turbomachinery, often collaborating with national labs and industry partners. His team employs advanced CFD solvers and data mining tools to extract meaningful features from complex simulations. The integration of computational science with engineering education remains a key component of his lab’s mission.
Prof. Dr. Paulo Drews-Jr is a Visiting Professor at the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering, University of Freiburg, Germany. His research focuses on Robotics, Computer Vision, and Deep Learning, particularly for autonomous systems operating in underwater and aerial environments. He holds a D.Sc. and M.Sc. in Computer Science with minors in Robotics and Computer Vision from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and a B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil. Education: D.Sc. in Computer Science (Minor: Robotics and Computer Vision), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil M.Sc. in Computer Science (Minor: Robotics and Computer Vision), Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil B.Sc. in Computer Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande, Brazil Research Interests: Paulo Drews-Jr specializes in Robot Perception, Robotics, and Computer Vision. His work addresses challenges in Underwater Robotics, Aerial Robotics, and Industrial Automation, including Active Perception to Account for Uncertainty in Deep Learning Applied to Robotics. His recent publications emphasize Deep Reinforcement Learning, Image Processing, and Trans-Media Navigation for Hybrid Unmanned Vehicles.
Dr. Alfred Hill is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath and a Chartered Chemical Engineer. His work focuses on sustainable energy solutions, including electromagnetic catalyst heating, ammonia fuel cells, and hydrogen isotope separation for nuclear fusion. He has published extensively in high-impact journals like Energy & Environmental Science and Advanced Energy Materials , with over 350 citations. MEng (2004), MRes (2011), and PhD (2015) in Chemical Engineering from University of Bath Chartered Chemical Engineer (2012) and Member of IChemE Industry experience: BP, Petroplus (2004-2010), and Atkins Nuclear Research interests span chemical reactor design , catalyst optimization , and heat transfer integration for decarbonization. He supervises PhD students in sustainable energy projects and leads 6 active/funded research initiatives. Scientific awards include recognition from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
