Nicolás Gómez Vega

- Performed a feasibility and energy demand study on aircraft with alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and liquified natural gas. - Developed models in TASOPT.jl for the thermal and structural design of cryogenic-fuel storage tanks and for the propulsion system design; in particular, for turbofans with heat exchangers and for fuel-cell-powered ducted fans. - Led the design and build of an electroaerodynamics-propelled airframe with expected order-of-magnitude improvements in thrust and a 10+ mins endurance. - Supervised and directly mentored two graduate students and twelve undergraduate students.

Worked as a research assistant in the Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment (LAE) in MIT, studying electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion as well as ways to electrify general-aviation fuels. - Conducted research on the physics of EAD, a nearly silent form of atmospheric propulsion with no moving parts using ions from air. - Performed high-voltage experiments with gas discharges (corona and dielectric barrier discharges), as well as modeling and numerical simulations of EAD thrusters. - Demonstrated EAD thrusters with different ion sources, characterized a thruster for an EAD-propelled airplane, and developed models and experiments on multistaged ducted thrusters. - Contributed to a system-level assessment of the electrification of aviation with hydrogen and e-fuels, demonstrating cost-effective greenhouse gas emission reductions. - Collaborated on writing of proposals that have raised over $1M in funding for LAE.

- Assisted in the teaching of the undergraduate class 16.50 Aerospace Propulsion in the Spring 2020 and 2021 semesters. - Duties included teaching in office hours, writing and grading problem sets, grading exams, and performing administrative tasks in a class with approximately 40 students.

Conducted a research project investigating the effects of geometry, material and size on the performance of an EAD thruster.

PhD thesis: Advances in electroaerodynamic thrusters for aircraft propulsion. Research focused on the design and analysis of electroaerodynamic thrusters, which use ions for propulsion in atmospheric air.

Master's thesis: Shock-Boundary layer Interaction on a Flexible surface. - Airbus Prize for Best Student in MEng Aeronautical Engineering. - Department Awards for Excellence in First, Second and Third Years. - Engineering Dean's List in First, Second, Third and Fourth Years. - BAE Systems Prize for best aerospace-related individual project report. - Degree incorporates Bachelor's level of study (BEng) & Associateship of the City and Guilds of London Institute.

Studied the IB Diploma Programme at SEK-El Castillo International School. - Extended Essay investigating the emptying of water clocks. - Top grades in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Management.