IMAGE OF Noah Van Dam

Noah Van Dam

Assistant Professor

College
Francis College of Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Phone
(978) 934-5872
Office
Dandeneau Hall - 234
Email
Noah_VanDam@uml.edu
Links

Expertise

Multi-phase/reacting flows, Combustion, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Lagrangian-Eulerian methods, Verification, validation, uncertainty quantification (VVUQ), Machine learning, Internal combustion engines, Energy conversion devices

Research Interests

Multi-phase, reacting flows; Combustion; Computational Fluid Dynamics; CFD; Lagrangian-Eulerian methods; Verification, validation, uncertainty quantification; VVUQ; Machine learning; Internal combustion engines; Energy conversion devices

Dr. Van Dam's major research interest is in high-fidelity modeling of multiphase and reacting flows, and verification, validation and uncertainty quantification techniques for computational fluid dynamics models of complex flows. Applications of interest include internal combustion engines, gas turbines and aerospace propulsion, energy generation, and chemical and manufacturing processes. Past projects have including modeling cyclic variability in IC engines and fuel sprays, and quantifying the effects of alternative fuel properties on engine performance.

Education

  • Ph D: Mechanical Engineering, (2015), University of Wisconsin-Madison - Madison, WI
    Supporting Area: Mathematics
    Dissertation/Thesis Title: Large-eddy Simulations of Direct-injection Spark-ignition Engine Spray and Flow Variability
  • BS: Mechanical Engineering, (2009), Iowa State University of Science and Technology - Ames, IA
    Supporting Area: German

Biosketch

Noah Van Dam joined the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Massachusetts Lowell in the Fall of 2018. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2015, after which he joined Argonne National Laboratory as a postdoc in the Energy Systems division. His research focuses on modeling and simulation of multi-phase, reacting flows for applications including internal combustion engines, gas turbines and aerospace propulsion, and chemical and manufacturing processes.

Selected Awards and Honors

  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (Mechanical Engineering) (2015), Teaching - Polygon Engineering Student Council Student Choice Awards
  • Robert G. Sachs Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation (Third Place) (2015) - Argonne National Laboratory Postdoctoral Research and Career Symposium
  • DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) RISE Professional Scholarship (2010), Scholarship/Research - German Academic Exchange Service
  • University Fellowship & Vilas Welcome Award (2010) - University of Wisconsin-Madison

Selected Publications

  • Xu, C. (Argonne National Laboratory), Pal, P. (Argonne National Laboratory), Ren, X. (Argonne National Laboratory), Sjöberg, M. (Sandia National Laboratories), Van Dam, N., Wu, Y. (University of Connecticut), Lu, T. (University of Connecticut), McNenly, M. (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Som, S. (Argonne National Laboratory) (2021). Numerical Investigation of Fuel Property Effects on Mixed-Mode Combustion in a Spark-Ignition Engine. Journal of Energy Resources Technology, 143(4) 042306.
  • Bolduc, C. (University of Massachusetts Lowell), Van Dam, N. (University of Massachusetts Lowell) (2021). Development of a four-fluid model for condensing steam flows. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 151 107893.
  • Xu, C. (Argonne National Laboratory), Pal, P. (Argonne National Laboratory), Ren, X. (Argonne National Laboratory), Som, S. (Argonne National Laboratory), Sjöberg, M. (Sandia National Laboratories), Van Dam, N. (University of Massachusetts Lowell), Wu, Y. (University of Connecticut), Lu, T. (University of Connecticut), McNenly, M. (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) (2019). Numerical Investigation of Fuel Property Effects on Mixed-Mode Combustion in a Spark-Ignition Engine. ASME 2019 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference
  • Van Dam, N. (University of Massachusetts Lowell), Kalvakala, R.K. (Argonne National Laboratory), Boink, F. (Technische Universiteit Eindhoven), Yue, Z. (Argonne National Laboratory), Som, S. (Argonne National Laboratory) (2019). Sensitivity Analysis of Fuel Physical Property Effects on Spark Ignition Engine Performance, (pp. V001T02A005). ASME 2019 Internal Combustion Engine Division Fall Technical Conference
  • Van Dam, N., Sjöberg, M., Som, S. (2018). Large-Eddy Simulations of Spray Variability Effects on Flow Variability in a Direct-Injection Spark-Ignition Engine Under Non-Combusting Operating Conditions. SAE International
  • Van Dam, N., Zeng, W., Sjöberg, M., Som, S. (2017). Parallel Multi-Cycle LES of an Optical Pent-Roof DISI Engine Under Motored Operating Conditions. ASME
  • Van Dam, N., Som, S., Swantek, A.B., Powell, C.F. (2016). The Effect of Grid Resolution on Predicted Spray Variability Using Multiple Large-Eddy Spray Simulations (pp. V001T06A013). ASME
  • Kodavasal, J., Van Dam, N., Pei, Y., Harms, K., Maheshwari, K., Wagner, A., García, M., Ciatti, S., Senecal, P.K., Som, S. (2016). Sensitivity Analysis on key CFD model inputs for Gasoline Compression Ignition on an IBM Blue Gene / Q supercomputer.
  • Van Dam, N., Rutland, C. (2016). Understanding In-Cylinder Flow Variability Using Large-Eddy Simulations. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 138(10) 102809.
  • Van Dam, N., Rutland, C. (2016). Adapting diesel large-eddy simulation spray models for direct-injection spark-ignition applications. International Journal of Engine Research, 17(3) 291-315.
  • Van Dam, N., Rutland, C. (2016). Uncertainty Quantification of Large-Eddy Spray Simulations. Journal of Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification, 1(2) 021006.

Selected Presentations

  • Using HPC for Engine and Fuel Spray Simulations - High Performance Computing Day, May 2019 - Lowell, MA
  • Error estimations for stochastic Lagrangian-Eulerian simulations of sprays - ASME Verification and Validation Symposium, May 2019 - Las Vegas, NV
  • Overview of Co-Optima Engine CFD Simulations - DOE AEC Program Review Meeting, 2017 - Livermore, CA
  • Simulations of Flow, Spark and Combustion Variability in an Optically Accessible DISI Engine - Virtual Engine Research Institute and Fuels Initiative (VERIFI) 2017 Workshop, November 2017 - Lemont, IL
  • Simulations of Spray and Flow Variability in an Optical DISI Engine - Argonne National Laboratory Career and Research Symposium, November 2017 - Lemont, IL
  • Parallel Multi-cycle LES of an Optical Pent-roof DISI Engine under Motored Operating conditions - ASME 2017 Internal Combustion Fall Technical Conference, October 2017 - Seattle, WA
  • Fuel Property GSA and Investigating Merit Function Terms with CFD - Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Engine Combustion (AEC) Program Review Meeting, August 2017 - Southfield, MI
  • Effects of Fuel Physical Properties on Direct-injection Spark-ignition Engine Performance - IEA Combustion Agreement Fuel Spray Workshop, April 2017 - Detroit, MI