Sara Schmidheiser

• Operated an RQL-type combustor, with typical conditions up to 800 kPa and 2000K, to determine the mechanism of combustion instability and acoustic tone generation in currently operating engines. • Used MATLAB to develop processing algorithms to relate pressure data and flame dynamic modes by accomplishing an extensive image decomposition analysis. • Designed, set up, and executed a unique testing campaign to further identify the interaction between a swirl-stabilized liquid fuel injector and acoustic instability. • Optimized and tested a gaseous fuel, reacting jet-in-crossflow, combustor at 20 g/s and 1500K, designed to simulate a staged combustor. • Designed and manufactured a bluff-body fuel injector to study the interaction of multiple jets in a crossflow, modeling fuel injection systems in an afterburner. • Used CHEMKIN and chemical equilibrium programs to calculate parameters including flame temperature and ignition delay. • Directed and supported undergraduate students who contributed to experimental work and technical analysis.

• Studied a bluff body, afterburner combustor operating at 2000K and 250 g/s using flame imagery and pressure data to determine the effect of fuel characteristics like cetane number on the amplification of combustion instability. Results used to inform aircraft operating windows. • Developed flame tracing algorithm to track the progress of instability onset as a function of equivalence ratio. • Responsible for setup, calibration, and operation of laser-based diagnostics equipment, and installation of pressure transducers. • Designed hardware and software for a novel hyperspectral IR surface temperature probe designed to function in sooty combustion environments in which other measurement techniques are unreliable.

• Single-handedly performed data reduction on experimental test campaign results including flowfield velocity and flame imagery. • Responsible for daily calibration of 6-camera setup and alignment of a 3-laser optical system, as well as flow seeding hardware as an integral team member in a first-of-its-kind data collection campaign. • Aided in setup modifications like flow metering through use of critical orifice sizing, fuel substitutions, and repair of optical panels. • Improved data analysis tools by debugging Labview VI and developing comparative data processing tool in MATLAB.

• Worked alongside full-time engineers to continuously improve the reliability of Delta’s jet engines fleet for four semesters. • During final work term, acted as the sole workscope engineer for the JT8D-219 engine by authoring repair and investigative instructions for the engine shop, working closely with engine mechanics. • Conducted investigation on the shop floor to identify the cause of damage to engine onboard computer and implemented preventative actions, resulting in a projected savings of $320,000/year. • Developed fleet-wide project to identify and prevent the cause of in-flight engine shutdown event, which is currently being implemented, resulting in improved reliability ratings.

Ensure groups renting event space have all contracted amenities and support services. As a student assistant I open and close the building, setup and take down event equipment including audio/visual equipment, greet and assist event attendees, and address all concerns or questions during events ranging from information sessions to weddings.