Tag: CoMFRE

Synergy between research and application: Project collaboration with CoMFRE and student organization

September 4, 2019 • Madison Davies

We put a lot of things in a kitchen microwave, from Hot Pockets to leftover lasagna. But what about rocket propellant?

That’s essentially what Travis Sippel and his team are doing in a Young Investigator Project (YIP) with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. More specifically (and more safely), they are testing methods to dynamically control the combustion of a solid rocket propellant by applying microwave energy.

Predicting fuel drop-wall interactions, optimizing engine performance

June 7, 2019 • Madison Davies

Modern internal combustion engines power military ground transportation and unmanned air vehicles (UAV). But in certain operating conditions fuel drops can significantly impinge on the engine piston surface of these engines, affecting the fuel mixture distribution and performance – and the success of missions. Song-Charng Kong, professor of mechanical engineering, and James Michael, assistant professor … Continue reading Predicting fuel drop-wall interactions, optimizing engine performance

In a heartbeat: Machine learning speeds up heart-valve simulations

May 29, 2019 • Madison Davies

Simulation of fluid moving through a valve Simulation of heart movement Simulation of fluid moving through heart valves Adarsh Krishnamurthy and Ming-Chen Hsu got to talking about their research interests – Krishnamurthy works in simulating cardiac mechanics and Hsu in simulating valve dynamics – when they had an idea. “He has the heart without the valve, … Continue reading In a heartbeat: Machine learning speeds up heart-valve simulations

Big undergrad research experience building small device

May 20, 2019 • Madison Davies

Antonio Alvarez-Valdivia is getting hands-on research experience, working with mentor Jaime Juarez, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, to build a first-of-its-kind portable viscosity instrument.

CoMFRE, Engineering’s newest research center, off to great start

March 21, 2019 • Nick Fetty

After a long start-up process, the Center for Multiphase Flow Research and Education, also known as CoMFRE, is off to a great start. CoMFRE Start The Iowa Board of Regents in December 2017 elected to give official “center” status to CoMFRE after a multi-year application process with assistance from the College of Engineering. In order … Continue reading CoMFRE, Engineering’s newest research center, off to great start

ME’s Heindel to use X-rays to study hydrate formations

December 14, 2017 • Nick Fetty

One mechanical engineering professor will use X-rays to study hydrate formations which can found in off-shore petroleum transport systems. Ted Heindel, Bergles Professor of Thermal Science in ME, recently received a $100,488 grant from the Chevron Corporation for an eight-month project entitled An exploratory investigation of using X-rays to characterize hydrate formation. “Hydrates can form … Continue reading ME’s Heindel to use X-rays to study hydrate formations