Nicholas D
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Cornell University
Expertise
mechanical engineering, thermodynamics, autoimmunity
Bio
As a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, my academic passion lies at the intersection of combustion and thermodynamics. I am deeply fascinated by the intricate processes governing energy conversion within combustion engines and the optimization of thermal systems for efficiency and sustainability. My research delves into understanding the fundamental principles behind combustion phenomena, with a focus on developing innovative solutions to enhance combustion efficiency and reduce emissions. For example, improving the performance of porous media burners by using ceramic additive manufacturing to fabricate designs inspired by periodic structures occurring in nature. Beyond my core research, I am driven by a fervent interest in connecting my background in thermal engineering with immunology to unravel the underlying mechanisms of common diseases that both I and many others live with. Through hosting lectures, I aim to bridge the gap between engineering and medicine, shedding light on how the fundamentals of thermodynamics intertwine with the pathophysiology of chronic diseases such as diabetes, autoimmunity, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches my understanding but also enables me to contribute meaningfully to addressing pressing healthcare challenges.Project ideas
The effect of porous burner geometry on radiation emissions
Porous media burners are solid structures that operate with an embedded flame to enhance combustion performance in comparison to free flames like those seen in a bunsen burner or on a stove. We would like to understand how the internal geometry of these burners can affect the radiation (light) emissions to the surrounding environment. This is expected to be influenced by both the geometric shape and temperature. The project is strictly experimental and requires the determination of proper instrumentation (measuring techniques). Published literature (via Google Scholar) should be consulted for previous methods in porous media experimentation and measuring the emissions spectrum and irradiance. Also, it's important to understand which variables across the different geometries should be held constant to isolate the quantities of interests, such as pore size or porosity. Furthermore, proficiency in the software used for designing the burner geometries along with the corresponding 3D printing process will be acquired. The apparatus needs to be designed to facilitate safe combustion of premixed fuel and oxidizer with minimal confluence from instrumentation. The goal is to publish a scientific research paper on our findings.