School of Engineering

Amir H. Hirsa
Professor
http://www.rpi.edu/dept/mane/deptweb/faculty/member/hirsa.html

Department Affiliation:

Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Nuclear Engineering

Education:

Ph.D., University of Michigan
Aerospace

M.S., University of Michigan
Aerospace

B.S., San Jose State University
Aeronautics

Background:

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; 2005 - present Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; 1996 - 2005 Associate Professor; 1990 - 1996 Assistant Professor, also, Associate Head for Graduate Studies (2007 – present)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; 2003 - present Joint Appointment (by courtesy) Howard P. Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
• University of California in Santa Barbara, Department of Chemical Engineering; 1/'07 - present Visiting Professor
• Cornell University, School of Chemical Engineering 1/'00 - 12/'00 Visiting Associate Professor Naval Surface Warfare Center (Formerly David Taylor Research Center), Hydrodynamics Division, Code 1542, Bethesda, Maryland. 5/'92 - 8/'92 Faculty Research Fellow
• Editorial board member, Proceedings of The Royal Society (London) A: Mathematical, Physical & Engineering Sciences (Proc. R. Soc. A)
  

Research Interests:

Fluid mechanics and experimental hydrodynamics. Current research interests are in the area of interfacial phenomena, such as monolayer hydrodynamics (including intrinsic interfacial viscosities), and other surface tension effects, such as capillary instability. We also work in the area of bio-fluids including the studies of protein structure in the presence of flows, especially at the air/water interface. We have made advances to experimental techniques including particle image velocimetry, nonlinear optical technique of second-harmonic generation, as well as Brewster angle microscopy in flowing systems. We also work in the area of microfluidics, especially in relation to free surface effects. Our research is presently supported by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF).