Dr. Joseph Schetz

Dr. Joseph SchetzPh.D., Princeton University
Fred D. Durham EndowedChair
Professor
219D Randolph Hall
(540) 231-9056
ptiger@vt.edu

Education

Ph.D., 1962, M.A., 1961, M.S.E., 1960, Princeton University; B.S., 1958, Webb Institute of Naval Architecture.

Professional History

1999-present, Fred D. Durham Endowed Chair, 1993-1999, J. Byron Maupin Professor, 1969-1993: W. Martin Johnson Professor and Chairman, Aerospace and Ocean Engineering Department, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; 1985, Visiting Scholar, Beijing Research Lab., Beijing, China; 1970, Guest Professor, Institute for Theoretical Gas Dynamics, DFVLR, Aachen, Germany; 1964-1996, Consultant to Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins University; 1964-1969, Associate Professor, Aerospace Engineering Department, University of Maryland; 1961-1964; Senior Scientist and Supervisor, Combustion Research, General Applied Science Laboratory, Westbury, NY.

Awards and Honors

  • 2005 J. Leland Atwood Award of the AIAA
  • 2004 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Professional Leadership

AIAA Fellow, AIAA Pendray Aerospace Literature Award, AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Technical Award, AIAA Aerospace Contribution and Society Award, ASEE/AIAA J. Leland Atwood Award, ASME Life Fellow; ISABE Best Paper Award; Alumni Award for Excellence in Research, AIAA Publication Committee; AIAA Education Committee; AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Technical Committee; AIAA Aerodynamic Measurements Technical Committee; Editor-in-Chief, AIAA Education Book Series.

Research Interests

Injection, Mixing and Combustion in Supersonic Flow

This effort involves experimental studies in Virginia Tech, supersonic and hypersonic wind tunnels and supporting numerical predictions for injection. A main application is to the combustion chamber for scramjet vehicles. Probes and optical methods are employed. Combined injectors and plasma ignitors for hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels are under study. The effort is supported by NASA, Air Force and industry.

Skin Friction and Heat Flux Measurements

This research involves the development and testing of devices for the direct measurement of skin friction and heat flux in hot, high-speed flows. Current focus is on the use of fiber-optic sensors. Tests are conducted at NASA, UTRC and other high-speed facilities. Support is from NASA, Air Force and industry.

Aerodynamics and Distributed Propulsion for Transport Aircraft

The aerodynamics of innovative transport aircraft configurations is being studied with CFD, and the results are incorporated in MDO design studies. Some of the configurations under study include distributed propulsion to improve propulsive efficiency and reduce noise. Support is from NASA.

Fiber-Optic Temperature Sensor

Efforts are underway to develop very fast response temperature sensors and also sensors for use under cryogenic conditions at high pressure. Support is from US Army and NASA.

Links 

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