Researchers

Dr. Philip S. Schmidt, Donald J. Douglass Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Program Director. Dr. Schmidt's primary field of technical expertise is dielectrically-enhanced heat and mass transfer processes. Under his guidance, the Process Energetics Program has become widely recognized as the premier university research program in the United States devoted to industrial application of microwave and radio-frequency heating technology. He is the author of two books and numerous journal articles on industrial thermal process design.

Dr. David Price is serving as a full-time postdoctoral research associate for the project. Dr. Price carried out much of the basic research underlying the microwave-regeneration VOC recovery concept during his doctoral program at the University of Texas.

Dr. John Davis, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, serves as a technical advisor to the project in the area of microwave electromagnetics. Dr. Davis is an expert in the design of single-mode resonant cavities. His prior experience has been primarily in design of large scale systems for communication. In addition, he has an interest in the area of very large scale integrated circuit design.

Dr. John Pearce, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, also serves as an additional technical advisor to the project in the area of microwave electromagnetics. Dr. Pearce is an expert in dielectric measurements and thermal response of materials to high frequency EM fields. He is coauthor of the book, "Foundations and Industrial Applications of Microwave and Radio frequency Fields" (Wiley, 1995).

Mr. Jeff Salinas is currently working on his masters degree in Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Salinas began his association with the project through a summer internship while an undergraduate at Texas A&M University. His master's work has focused on the design, construction, and testing of the laboratory microwave regeneration column. Mr. Salinas is also an experienced fire-fighter.

Mr. Chuck Hean is a recent addition to our program. He has an extensive background in combustion and steam turbine engineering. He is currently working on his Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering.

Mr. Steve Orwick serves as the technician and safety manager for the project. Mr. Orwick has over 8 years experience troubleshooting microwave and radio-frequency equipment. He splits his time with the UT Separations Research Program where he serves as an operater for their full-scale chemical distillation and extraction columns.