Michael Penny, Master of Science graduate student and former student (Class of 2011) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, was awarded the First Place in Artistic Merit at the Central States Section of the Combustion Institute’s 2014 Spring Technical meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The section holds an annual art competition to reveal the beauty and expanse of combustion in its nearly infinite different forms.
Design entry by Michael Penny, B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
For his design entry, Mr. Penny presented a compilation of images depicting diesel fuel burning in an open atmosphere, superimposed on the word “Combust”. He ensured minimal repetition of similar-looking flame structures in order to reproduce the complexity and beauty of an actual fire. He used a repurposed piston head from a large bore gasoline engine as a stand to maintain a consistent automotive engine motif. A floating glass frame held together by rare earth magnets in his design, brings a modern and forward-looking feel to the artwork, hinting toward future improvements yet to be made in engines. Mr. Penny’s design won the first place among seven entries.
Michael Penny is advised by Dr. Tim Jacobs. Dr. Jacobs’ leads the Advanced Engine Research Laboratory at Texas A&M, which serves as a research education program with the long-range purpose of advancing energy conservation for internal combustion engines. In the lab, Dr. Jacobs and his research team of Mechanical Engineering students, conduct fundamental, experimental, and theoretical investigations of in-cylinder combustion processes, the coupling to advanced concepts, the use of alternative fuels, and the integration of exhaust after treatment systems.
Students working on a project in the Advanced Engine Research Laboratory, headed by Dr. Tim Jacobs
Students interested in combustion research at Texas A&M University, please contact Professors Kalyan Annamalai, Jerald Caton, Timothy Jacobs, Eric Petersen, and Andrea Strzelec.