last updated May 12, 2009

General Research Interests

I'm trying to mix as many of my interests as possible into my research. In general, I'm interested in macro-engineering and macro-systems, sustainability, education, and classical thermodynamics.

Primarily and initially, I aim to use fundamental engineering concepts to improve resource utilization in large-scale systems. Secondarily, I aim to improve the preparedness of future interdisciplinary teams to design and implement large-scale, sustainable systems.

Partnering opportunities always exist, so please contact me for details. Contact information is located on the home page.

 

Current Research

University of Washington Design for Environment Lab
01/2009 to Present
QUWICK LCA Design Tool
The development of a simple, accurate design tool that can predict the change in life-cycle impacts from redesigning a product. The tool will accept inputs regarding material amounts, manufacturing locations, and operations. The output will be values for total energy consumption, acidification potential, smog formation potential, global warming potential, and particulate matter over the entire life-cycle.

 

Past Research

Boeing Phantom Works
08/2008 to 12/2008
Alternate APU Concepts
The initial analysis and conceptual considerations of alternate concepts for the aircraft auxiliary power unit.
Document is Boeing Proprietary and only available internally.

01/2008 to 07/2008
Sustainable Systems Engineering Design Guidelines
Qualitative discussion of effort to incorporate environmental sustainability into the Boeing design process.
Document is Boeing Proprietary and only available internally.

08/2006 to 12/2007
Fuel Cell System Sizing
The development of a tool that can predict the size and performance of a fuel cell system (fuel cell and its balance of plant).
Document is Boeing Proprietary and only available internally.

 

University of Texas Center for Electromechanics
01/2005 to 06/2006
Gas Turbine-Generator Set Sizing and Optimization
Modeling the performance and size of a set of gas-turbine engines and generators to minimize fuel use and hardware volume on the a marine platform.
Document 1: Click here for the conference paper.
Document 2: Click here for the master's thesis.

 

Sandia National Labs
05/2004 to 08/2004
Analyzing the Effects of Fin Pressure on Roll Torque
Development of a tool to analyze experimental data to accurately predict the causes of roll-torque on a finned body of revolution.
Document: Click here for the government document.