Teaching

ME 300: Engineering Thermodynamics

This course is designed to develop an understanding of thermodynamic concepts and their application for the student by providing an integrative modeling and analysis approach to thermal-fluids systems. The course emphasizes the integration and application of fundamental principles of mass and energy conservation and fundamental ideal gas and non-ideal working fluids concepts to fundamental engineering systems. These systems include basic spark-ignition engines and turbojet engines as well as basic and extended Rankine and refrigeration cycles. Emphasis is on creating engineering models of these systems and indicating how the idealized versions of these systems can be extended to more realistic descriptions. Besides these mass and energy conservation concepts the course introduces the basic concepts of heat transfer and mass flow, providing a foundation in these subjects to be further expanded in later courses. The course aims to develop knowledge and initiate skills for “thinking like an engineer”.

ME 320:Fluid Flow

Fluid mechanics is an extensive field that has been rapidly growing for the past few hundred years. As an engineering science, it is applied in the design, manufacturing, and operation of most technologies with which we interact. Fluid mechanics is also central to the understanding of natural and physical sciences, and poses open questions in mathematics. The goal of this course is to introduce students to the field of fluid mechanics, such that they can apply key techniques to analyze and predict the behavior of fluids and engineer technologies that employ fluid systems. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Articulate the physical properties that characterize fluids and distinguish them from other forms of matter.
Apply vector (velocity, acceleration, forces) and scalar (pressure, energy, temperature) fields with vector differential and integral calculus to the analysis of fluid systems and interpretation of flow physics.
Apply system and control volume (global/integral) methods to the analysis and engineering of fluid systems using conservation laws (mass, linear/angular momentum, energy, etc.).
Demonstrate a structured approach to problem solving and a professional attitude towards learning. Communicate technical concepts effectively through writing and oral presentations.

ME 330:Introduction to Modern Computational Tools for Mechanical Engineering

This course is aimed at giving students perspective and introductory skills on the use of modern computational tools for solving mechanical engineering problems. The course has two main thrusts focused on finite element analysis for structural/thermal mechanics and computational fluid dynamics. Upon completion of the course students will:

Demonstrate the application of computational tools to solve fundamental problems associated with statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, heat transfer, fluid dynamics. (Assignments will focus on fundamental topics covered in other core required courses within the Penn State Mechanical Engineering Program.)
Compare and reflect on simulation predictions as compared to analytical solutions and use the computational tools to parametrically study the solution space that enable informed design strategies.
Create engineering reports on simulation and analytic results in clear and meaningful ways.

ME 431: Internal Combustion Engines

This course is specifically designed to take advantage of the senior-level standing of the student by providing an integrative modeling and analysis approach to thermal-fluids systems. The course emphasizes the integration and application of fundamental principles of mass, momentum, and energy conservation to relatively complex systems. These systems include spark-ignition and diesel engines, gas-turbine engines for power production, and turbojet engines. The integration of the topics of combustion, compressible flow, and psychrometrics allow these systems to be analyzed in their totality. Emphasis is on creating engineering models of these systems. The course aims to integrate previous knowledge and develop skills in “thinking like an engineer”.

ME 523: Numerical Solutions Applied to Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics

This course will provide basic information needed to understand the numerical methods used in such simulations, or to write new computer applications. The emphasis will be on finite-volume methods applied to the solution of fluid-flow and heat-transfer problems: specifically, pressure-based Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods for low-Mach-number flows. The student will explore various numerical methods by implementing them in computer programs for homework assignments. At the end of the course, the student should be able to select/assess/devise effective numerical algorithms to solve systems of equations that arise in the thermal-fluids sciences and engineering.

ME 532: Turbulent and Two-Phase Combustion

Continuing where ME 531 (Fundamentals of Combustion) left off, this course is devoted to the fundamentals of chemically reacting turbulent flows in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems with special emphasis on turbulent flames in gases; heterogeneous combustion; chemical reactions in boundary-layer flows; spray combustion of liquid fuel droplets; two-phase combustion of solid particles; and, ignition of gaseous mixtures and condensed phases.