Prof. Rieker's lab focuses on developing sensors to interrogate and control energy, atmospheric and industrial systems. Many of the sensors use laser light to probe the system, which enables standoff detection in particularly harsh environments, such as high-pressure and -temperature combustors or turbulent open stretches of the atmosphere. Past projects have involved sensing greenhouse gases in the open atmosphere, sensors for a variety of combustion applications, including internal combustion engines, scramjet engines, and oil refinery process flames, and sensors to diagnose high energy plasma beams. The techniques employed include diode laser absorption spectroscopy, dual frequency comb absorption spectroscopy, and mass and energy spectrometry.
keywords
lasers, spectroscopy, optical sensing, atmospheric systems, combustion, industrial systems, energy systems, environmental sustainability, oil/gas, renewable energy
MCEN 3012 - Thermodynamics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Explores fundamental concepts and basic theory, including first and second laws of thermodynamics, properties, states, thermodynamic functions and cycles. Degree credit not granted for this course and GEEN 3852 or AREN 2110.
MCEN 5022 - Classical Thermodynamics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021
First and second laws of thermodynamics. Entropy and availability. Cycle analysis. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances and mixtures. Property relations. Chemical reactions and chemical availability. Energy systems analysis.
MCEN 5055 - Advanced Product Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Fall 2022
Introduces engineering design and development of consumer products. Includes learning sketching, brainstorming, idea generation, design thinking, user-centered design, product requirements and specifications, product constraints, human factors, aesthetics, industrial design, intellectual property, concept prototyping, idea selection, tolerancing, cost estimating, design for assembly, and materials selection. Entails a semester-long team re-design of a consumer product.
MCEN 5930 - Professional Internship
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Summer 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
This class provides a structure for Mechanical Engineering graduate students to receive academic credit for internships with industry partners that have an academic component to them suitable for graduate-level work. Participation in the program will consist of an internship agreement between a student and an industry partner who will employ the student in a role that supports the academic goals of the internship. Instructor participation will include facilitation of mid-term and final assessments of student performance as well as support for any academic-related issues that may arise during the internship period. May be taken during any term following initial enrollment and participation in ME graduate programs. Department permission required to enroll. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours.
