Welcome to the Website of¶
Dan Fries¶
This website showcases and summarizes some of my research and project work.
Calling this the “Entropy Project” alludes to the fact that big things often start with people generating a lot of entropy. We have to focus on certain possibilities, organize them, expend energy and then: we can turn some of the entropic states into something organized, something real, hopefully reaping the benefits.
I am fascinated by extreme flow conditions, high-speed propulsion, plasma applications, optical and laser technology, space exploration, and the improvement of the human condition through science. I believe that space is a new frontier, holding a shear infinite amount of resources and knowledge to be gained on the way.
I obtained my Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, working on turbulent mixing, combustion, and ignition, in subsonic and supersonic flows. Currently, I work as a Research Associate at the University of Texas at Austin. My work is part of an inter-disciplinary project enabling high-fidelity predictions of complex flow systems. The target system is a 60 kW inductively coupled plasma torch, of which sub-components are investigated in a cold-flow analogue and a capacitive glow discharge. The torch is also used to study the flow field and chemistry around different heat shield materials for thermal protetion systems.
My goal in life is to push scientific and technological boundaries, bring people with similar interests together and pursue a life dedicated to the positive aspects of humanity.
All items listed under my publications should be available download for free, if you search for them. In case something is not, just get in touch with me and I am happy to provide a copy.
IEC pictures courtesy of Constanze Syring
Artistic impression of the Dragonfly spacecraft by David Hardy
Artistic impression of the Glowworm spacecraft by Adrian Mann
LinkedIn: Dan Fries