Dr. Atul Kohli, Technical Fellow at Pratt & Whitney, presented Brian Knisely with the 2020 Allan J. Brockett Award during the annual Center of Excellence meeting at Penn State on June 24th. Brian is a doctoral student who is doing research in the Steady Thermal Aero Research Turbine (START) Lab.

In 2016, Brian joined START with the intention that he would assist in the development of a thermal imaging measurement method for turbine heat transfer. He gained invaluable experience as an intern at Pratt & Whitney in the summer of 2018 when he worked closely with Dr. Charlie Haldeman to ensure a successful transition of the measurement method to the Penn State START rig. His work there was integral to his doctoral research.

“Brian’s most significant contribution this past year was to develop ways in which we could assess the accuracy of a thermal imaging camera and how best to use this instrument. This new tool for characterizing turbine blade cooling puts our START lab at the leading edge.”

Brian completed his BSME degree at the University of Rochester.

The Brockett award was established in 2013 in the name of Mr. Allan Brockett, former VP of Engineering at Pratt & Whitney, who led the founding of the new START Lab.