Main research topic:

Thermal system modeling and energy optimization for United States Navy all-electric surface ships

Current research work:

• Create fast running surrogate models of currently existing, though computationally expensive, thermal systems models.

• Develop powerful, customized optimization algorithms that use surrogate models to identify more energy efficient system configurations for a broad range of real life scenarios.

Papers:

Backlund, P. B., 2008, "Flexibility for Future Evolution: Validation and Development of Design Guidelines," Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas, Austin, TX.

Tilstra, A. H., P. B. Backlund, C. C. Seepersad and K. L. Wood, 2008, "Industrial Case Studies in Product Flexibility for Future Evolution: An Application and Evaluation of Design Guidelines", ASME IDETC/CIE Design Theory and Methodology Conference, New York, NY. Paper Number: DETC2008-49370.

Graduate Coursework:

• Engineering Design Theory and Mathematical Techniques

• Design of Complex Engineering Systems

• Advanced Engineering Analysis

• Product Design, Development, and Prototyping

• Machine Tool Operations for Engineers

• Modeling Physical Systems

• Design Optimization and Automation

• Computer Aided Geometric Design

• Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer

• Metaheuristics

Education:

BS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arizona, 2006.

MS Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, 2008.

Contact info:

pbacklund@mail.utexas.edu