I grew up in Atlantic Beach, FL. When I was a child, my family took annual ski vacations to Colorado. I looked forward to those trips all year long, and I always knew that I wanted to move here someday. I came to Mines as an undergraduate, and it was a great fit. Mines’ reputable engineering program, outstanding professors, and close proximity to world class skiing and rock climbing made my undergraduate experience ideal. 

I finished my BS in Mechanical Engineering in May of 2007, and then spent a year working in industry. Currently, I am a graduate student seeking a PhD in mechanical engineering.

My research consists of designing and testing a micro-channel based ceramic heat exchanger to work in conjunction with SOFC stacks. Ceramic heat exchangers are advantageous because they have better high temperature properties and are less prone to corrosion than metal heat exchangers. Mines and CoorsTek will collaborate on the project, which consists of the following phases:

• Design: Computer modeling, simulation, and optimization using Fluent Software (CSM)

• Construction: Fabrication using Pressure Laminated with Integrated Structures Technology (CooksTek) 

• Experimentation: Design and construction of a test facility, followed by experimentation and performance evaluation (CSM)

• Iteration: Design, fabrication, and testing of future generations of heat exchangers

Berkeley Hippel