Dr. Dion Antao
Antao is researching a non-contact method of measuring temperature in the vapor phase during a phase-change process through optical diagnostic techniques, potentially avoiding the negative impacts of current practices.
The phase-change process is used in a broad range of areas, including power generation, buildings, communications systems, food processing systems and the chemical processing industry.
“The current state-of-the-art uses physical probes, like thermocouples, to measure the temperature in the vapor phase, however, such a probe affects, disturbs or biases near-interface transport processes,” Antao said. “A non-contact temperature measurement in the vapor phase will enable us to probe some of these fundamental near-interface transport phenomena in a spatially resolved manner.”
Antao looks forward to implementing his research plan to develop theory and tools to better understand these phase-change phenomena with the ultimate goal of manipulating and enhancing the process in energy conversion and water treatment technology.
Dr. Vinayak Krishnamurthy
Krishnamurthy is developing a new approach to geometric modeling that could have applications in a breadth of products ranging from prosthetic devices and protective equipment to automotive parts and miniaturized electronics.
His research introduces a new type of geometric modeling paradigm, called partitive solid geometry, which is expected to enable the intuitive and interactive design of complex 2D and 3D patterns known as space-filling shapes.
When paired with others of the same shape, these geometric shapes could potentially fill a space completely — leaving it watertight and gapless.
“Imagine a computer tool where a designer could simply sketch out a shape to design a complex 3D jigsaw puzzle that has special mechanical, thermal, acoustic or optical properties,” he said. “The research specifically focuses on developing the basic mathematical principles and subsequently new algorithms and interactive software workflows to enable such design.”