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MOMENTUM • VIRGINIA TECH MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Joseph Meadows , assistant professor in mechanical engineering , is part of a multigroup team receiving federal funding to integrate hydrogen-fueled rotating detonation combustors ( RDC ) with gas turbines to optimize performance . Total group funding from the Department of Energy ( DOE ) is $ 800,000 to be distributed between the partnering institutions .
The University of Alabama leads the project , partnering with Meadows , Aerojet Rocketdyne , Inc ., Kulite Semiconductor Products , Inc ., and the Navy Research Lab . The partnering institutions will develop a robust methodology to integrate a rotating detonation combustor with a gas turbine .
Meadows ’ group is responsible for the design and optimization of the RDC using computational fluid dynamics , using experimental data from partner members to validate the approach . By analyzing this data , Meadows and his team will provide the foundation for design and optimization of RDC with traditional gas turbines fueled on hydrogen or hydrogen / natural gas blends , while other partner members will perform experiments to demonstrate the design at gas turbine relative conditions .
Chris Williams , the LS Randolph Professor in mechanical engineering , has been elected chair of the Additive Manufacturing Community Advisors within the Society of Manufacturing Engineers ( SME ).
SME was founded in 1969 , working closely with manufacturing professionals , companies , educators , schools and communities . The group shares knowledge and resources that generate solutions to manufacturing industry challenges . The Additive Manufacturing Advisory Community advises SME on initiatives , activities , policy , and strategy related to additive manufacturing .
Williams has been a member of the SME ’ s advisory community since 2015 , previously holding the office of Vice Chair .