Austin McDonald

Background

About Austin McDonald

I advance the field of diagnostics engineering and apply it to combustion, energy, propulsion, and defense applications. I am pursuing my PhD in Mechanical Engineering. My research focuses on designing and implementing novel methods of high-speed absorption and emission-based temperature and composition diagnostics for flames, using infrared lasers and frequency-resolved infrared video. I have developed techniques to measure the temperature and concentration of various molecules in flames, such as carbon monoxide, water, and hydrocarbons, with both accuracy and speed. I am currently working on fundamental research in missile fuels for defense applications, in collaboration with the Army Research Laboratory and other partners. I have also contributed to multiple publications and presentations in this domain. Through my education and work experience, I have gained strong skills in MATLAB, data analysis, optical engineering, and experimental design. I have also honed my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, as well as my creativity and curiosity. I aspire to become a leading researcher and innovator, and to apply my knowledge and skills to address real-world challenges and opportunities in energy and defense.