Dr. John Baker’s research interests include combustion, propulsion, thermodynamics, reactive flows, transport phenomena, and thermal radiation heat transfer. His current research activities include: an experimental study of the interaction between magnetic fields and diffusion flames (using holographic interferometry), an experimental study of laminar slot diffusion flames in reduced gravity, a theoretical and experimental study of turbulent induced vortex flames, an experimental study into the effect that temperature and pressure have on fuel injection behavior (using particle image velocimetry, PIV), an experimental evaluation of an electrostatic injection system for diesel engine applications, a theoretical investigation into the thermodynamic optimization of fuel cells, a theoretical investigation into the use of magnetic fields to enhance rocket performance, and a fundamental investigation into combustion at “microscales.”
