BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Michael F. Modest
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania 16802

EDUCATION
Ph.D., M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, June 1972

Dipl.-Ing., Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich, Germany, June 1968

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Professor Modest's research interests cover the two major areas of Radiative Heat Transfer and Laser Machining of Ceramics.

In thermal radiation he has carried out various experimental investigations to measure spectral surface properties of solids, absorption coefficients of liquids, and absorption coefficients of molecular gases; his theoretical contributions include development of approximate and Monte Carlo methods to deal with multi-dimensional, spectral, and scattering effects. His textbook on Radiative Heat Transfer (2nd edition new in 2003) is widely used across the world.

In the laser machining of ceramics arena, Dr. Modest's group has done fundamental experimental work and has generated various theoretical models. Experimentally, he has studied the fundamental material removal mechanisms (through SEM, emission spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Auger spectroscopy, high-speed microscope photography, X-ray diffraction, etc.), measured relevant material properties (thermal diffusivity, high-temperature absorptance, heat of ablation/decomposition), and presently investigates the radiative properties of the plume/plasma above the laser-interaction zone as well as thermal stress development and minimization during the machining process. The theoretical models range from approximate one-dimensional to fully three-dimensional, to predict the laser drilling, scribing, cutting and shaping processes. Presently, the models are being extended to incorporate effects of the laser plume, and to predict elastic and plastic thermal stresses occurring during the process.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1987-present

Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pa.

1980-1986

Associate Professor, (until 1984) and Professor of Mechanical Engineering
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, Ca.

1975-1980

Assistant Professor (until 1977) and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.

1974-1975

Lecturer in Engineering, San Francisco State University,
San Franscisco, Ca.

1972-1974

Postdoctoral Research Associate of the National Research
Council at NASA-Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas

CONSULTING

2001

Alstom Power--ABB Lummus, New Jersey;
Radiation Modeling in Large-Scale Reactors

2001

Accreditation Board for Fraunhofer Laser Center, University of Dresden, Germany

2001

CFDRC Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL;
Radiation k-Distributions for CFD Codes

1985-1987

S-TRON, Belmont, California;
Thermal Modeling of Human Body Heat Losses

1980-1984

General Electric, Schenectady, New York;
Thermal Radiation in Gas Turbines

1979

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority;
Feasibility Study on Birk-Cycle Rotary Engines

1978

City of Troy, New York;
Energy Conservation Studies

1978

Dept. of Housing and Urban Development;
Feasibility Studies for Large Scale Solar Hot Water Heaters

1976

TRW, Dallas, Texas,
Space Shuttle Radiator

1975-1976

General Electric, Schenectady, New York;
Geothermal Cycle Analysis

1975

Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, Berkeley, California
Geothermal Energy

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

Fellow

American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Member

ASME Heat Transfer Division

• K6 Committee on Heat Transfer in Energy Systems,
• General Papers Committee (Chairman 1992-1993),
  
• Journal of Heat Transfer (Associate Technical Editor, 1993-1996; Senior Associate Technical Editor, 1996-1999).

Senior Member

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

• Thermophysics Committee

Member

Laser Institute of America

• Committee on Materials Processing

Reviewer

Academic Press
AIAA Journal
Applied Mechanics Review
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering Communications
Combustion Science and Technology
Experimental and Fluid Science
Heat Transfer Engineering
International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow
Journal of the American Ceramics Society
Journal of Applied Mechanics
Journal of Crystal Growth
Journal of Engineering for Industry
Journal of Heat Transfer
Journal of Laser Applications
Journal of Solar Engineering
Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer
Lasers in Surgery and Medicine
Lawrence Livermore Laboratory UCRP
Microscale Thermal Engineering
National Science Foundation
Nuclear Engineering and Design
Numerical Heat Transfer Journal
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Physics and Chemistry of Glasses
Research Grants Council of Hong Kong
Solar Energy

HONORS
First in Graduating Class 1968 (``Summa Cum Laude'')
Postdoctoral Fellowship of the National Research Council
Sigma Xi
Fellow -- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1988)
Who's Who in the East
Who's Who in Science and Engineering
Who's Who in the World
PSES Outstanding Research Award (2000)
PSES Premier Research Award (2003)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Undergraduate Courses:

Computing Fundamentals
Introduction to Heat Transfer
Engineering Mathematics
Higher Engineering Mathematics
Thermodynamics I and II
Engineering Laboratory
Solar Energy Devices

Graduate Courses:

Radiation Heat Transfer
Radiation in Participating Media
Conduction Heat Transfer
Convection Heat Transfer
Engineering Analytical Methods

Professional Engineer Degree Review:

Section on Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer