Research Keyword laser diagnostics

Derek Dunn-Rankin

http://www.eng.uci.edu/~ddunnran/

Chair

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Chair's Office: S4221
CAMP Office: REC 107
MAE Office: EG 3224
Lab: EG 2101
Lab: EG 1101
Lab: EG 1103

Professor

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Regional Director

California Alliance for Minority Participation

Dr. Dunn-Rankin studies combustion, sprays and particles using optical diagnostics and laser spectroscopy.

Generally, Dr. Dunn-Rankin is interested in the fundamental information that can be obtained from simplified systems, such as linear droplet arrays, two-dimensional gas burners, and sub-scale ventilation and biomedical environments, which mimic a specific behavior in more complex systems. Using non-intrusive laser diagnostics, he probes the simplified systems in order to develop physical insight into influencing factors.

His current research activities include a study of the electrical aspects of microgravity combustion; an effort to develop techniques to measure the size of airborne droplets and particles using laser light scattering; and development of a hydrogen-enhanced IC engine. Dr. Dunn-Rankin also is studying combustion control, the formation of droplet streams at high ambient density, and acoustic interactions with burning droplets.

His work can be applied in the area of combustion for size reduction, performance improvement, and emissions reduction in the area of spray processing for the novel production of biomedically relevant materials.

Director's Office

Scott Samuelsen

http://www.apep.uci.edu/samuelsen

Professor

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

APEP Office: ELF 223
Lab: ELF 221
MAE Office: EG 4231

Director

Advanced Power and Energy Program

Director

National Fuel Cell Research Center

Dr. Samuelsen is interested in energy conversion, fuel cells, combustion, fuel sprays, laser diagnostics, air quality, turbulent transport, alternative fuels, the modeling of reacting flows, practical energy systems, and the conflict between energy and the environment.

Dr. Samuelsen's current research activity focuses on energy generation, distribution and utilization, and includes the production of electricity, motive power and propulsive power from both fuel cells, gas turbines and hybrids of both. His work also explores the environmental impact of these energy systems, the dynamic between energy generation and atmospheric quality, and the development of environmentally preferred, high-efficiency energy generation integrated into buildings and building complexes.

Dr. Samuelsen directs the Advanced Power and Energy Program (APEP), which encompasses the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), the UCI Combustion Lab (UCICL) and the Pacific Consortium on Energy and the Environment (PARCON).

His work at the UCICL is directed toward the development of advanced stationary gas turbine power systems. Research at the NFCRC is leading the evolution of power generation fuel cells, and the PARCON accelerates the development and deployment of advance energy systems around the world.