GORDON McTAGGART-COWAN
Education:
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Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) University of British Columbia. November 2006.
Thesis: “Pollutant reduction from a gaseous-fuelled, direct-injection, heavy-duty engine”
Advisors: Dr. S.N. Rogak, Dr. W.K. Bushe
 M.A.Sc. (Mechanical Engineering) University of British Columbia. December 2001.
Thesis: “The application of exhaust gas recirculation to a single-cylinder, compression
ignition engine fuelled with natural gas”
Advisors: Dr. W.K. Bushe, Dr. P.G. Hill
 B.Eng (Mechanical Engineering co-op) (with distinction) University of Victoria. May 1999.
Competitive Awards:
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Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Post-Doctoral
Fellowship, 2006 (declined)
University of British Columbia University Graduate Fellowship, 2006
NSERC Canada Graduate Scholarship - D2 (Ph.D. level), 2004-2006
University of British Columbia Graduate Entrance Scholarship, 2004
NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship ‘B’(Ph.D. level), 2001 (declined)
NSERC Post-Graduate Scholarship ‘A’(M.A.Sc. level), 1999 - 2001
Canada Scholarship, 1994 - 1999
The Hugh and Lilian Salmond Memorial Scholarship, 1998
The Charles Humphrey Memorial Scholarship in Engineering, 1998
University of Victoria, Faculty of Engineering Dean’s Entrance Scholarship, 1994
University of Victoria Entrance Scholarship, 1994
Research Experience:
Alternative Energy Group, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, UBC, Vancouver, BC
and Research Department, Westport Innovations Inc. Vancouver, BC
Ph.D. Candidate
September 2004-October 2006
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Implemented particle size measurement suite for heavy duty engine test cell at UBC
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Conducted tests on hydrogen and natural gas direct-injection fuelling of heavy-duty engine
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Investigated effects of natural gas composition on engine performance and emissions
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Studied role of recirculated species on the particulate formation process
Research Engineer, University of British Columbia
January 2002 – August 2004
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Conceived and applied novel test and operational strategies for heavy-duty natural gas engine
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Designed and implemented improvements and additions to research engine facility
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Prepared and delivered peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations on research results
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Developed and validated model of research facility using commercial software (GT-PowerTM)
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Responsible for day-to-day maintenance, planning, and operation of research facility
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Supervised research technicians, co-op students, and assisted in supervision of graduate students
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GORDON McTAGGART-COWAN
Research Liaison, Westport Innovations Inc. (part-time)
January 2002 – August 2004
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Facilitated collaboration between researchers at Westport Innovations and professors at UBC
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Prepared, executed, and analysed tests for development of Westport injector technology
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Provided in excess of 60 fact-sheet style reports to Westport on experimental results
Graduate Student/Research Associate
September 1999 - December 2001
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Developed and implemented instrumentation apparatus for new research engine
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Designed, installed, and commissioned operational and auxiliary systems for engine
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Calibrated new and reconditioned test equipment, commissioned research facilities
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Received award from Westport Innovations Inc. for contribution to milestone achievement
Co-op Program, Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria.
May 1995 – December 1998
Six work terms at different industrial and governmental facilities, including:
Offshore Engineering Group. Institute for Marine Dynamics, NRC, St. John's, NF Sept-Dec, 1998
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Carried out computer simulation and tow-tank testing of a generic submarine hull shape
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Analysed and compared computer simulation and physical model results
Systems Group. Ballard Power Systems Inc. Burnaby, BC
May - August, 1997
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Investigated the effects of supplying fuel and oxidiser to fuel cell stacks at high pressure
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Developed novel techniques for gas-to-gas humidification of fuel stream
Teaching Experience:
January-April 2006: Experimental and Computational Methods (Mech 479) Sessional Co-Instructor
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Lectured on experimental design and methods in thermofluids (18 classroom hours)
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Class of 50 4th year and graduate students
September – December 2005: Thermal Systems Design Course (Mech 327) Teaching Assistant
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Presented lecture on principles and applications of fundamental thermodynamic properties
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Assisted students during tutorial sessions, invigilated and marked exams
March 2005: Combustion Course (Mech 576) Guest Lecturer
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Delivered 2 guest lectures to graduate/senior undergraduate course on combustion
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Focused on pollutant formation in combustion and health/environmental effects of pollution
January – April 2005: 3rd Year Undergraduate Lab (Mech 302) Teaching Assistant
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Delivered ½ hour small-group lectures on Otto-cycle analysis and comparisons to real engines
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Supervised safe operation of lab equipment, student analysis of results
January – April 2001: 3rd Year Undergraduate Lab (Mech 302) Teaching Assistant
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Developed new undergraduate engine lab experiment (equipment, procedures, expectations)
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Implemented improvements to lab procedure in response to student feedback
September-December 2000,2001: 2nd year Thermodynamics Course (Mech 270) Teaching Assistant
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Lectures on basic concepts & applications in tutorial sessions for 20-80 students
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Demonstrated problem solutions in interactive class setting, supervised and marked quizzes
Refereed Journal Articles (Published/In press)
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Reynolds, C.C.O. and Bushe, W.K. Natural Gas Fuelling for
Heavy-Duty On-Road Use: Current Trends and Future Direction. International Journal of
Environmental Studies. Vol. 63, No. 4. 2006. Pp. 421-440.
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GORDON McTAGGART-COWAN
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Jones, H.L., Rogak, S.N., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi,
S.R. The Effects of High-Pressure Injection on a Compression-Ignition, Direct Injection of
Natural Gas Engine. ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power In Press.
Accepted for publication 30 August, 2006.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Rogak, S.N., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S.R. PM and
NOx Reduction by Injection Parameter Alterations in a Direct Injected, Pilot Ignited, Heavy
Duty Natural Gas Engine with EGR at Various Operating Conditions. SAE Technical Paper
2005-01-1733. SAE Transactions, Journal of Engines, Vol. 114, No. 3. 2005.
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Hill, P.G. and McTaggart-Cowan, G.P. Nitrogen Oxide Production in a Diesel Engine
Fuelled by Natural Gas. SAE Technical Paper 2005-01-1727. SAE Transactions, Journal of
Engines, Vol. 114, No. 3. 2005.
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Jones, H.L., McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Rogak, S.N., Bushe, W.K., Munshi, S.R., and
Buchholz, B.A. Source Apportionment of Particulate Matter from a Diesel Pilot Ignited
Natural Gas Fuelled Heavy Duty Engine. SAE Technical Paper 2005-01-2149. SAE
Transactions, Journal of Fuels and Lubricants, Vol. 114, No. 4. 2005.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Rogak, S., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S. The effect of
engine operating condition on NOx and PM emissions from a heavy-duty natural gas engine
with EGR. International Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 5, No. 6. 2004. Pp. 499-512.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Rogak, S.N., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S.R. The
Effects of Varying EGR Test Conditions on a Direct Injection of Natural Gas Heavy-Duty
Engine with High EGR levels. Technical Paper 2004-01-2955, SAE Transactions, Journal of
Engines. Vol. 113, No. 3. 2004, Pp. 1500-1509.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S. The Application of Exhaust
Gas Recirculation to a Heavy Duty Direct Injection of Natural Gas Engine. International
Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 5, No. 2. 2004. Pp. 175-192.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S. A Supercharged Single
Cylinder Heavy Duty Engine for High Pressure Direct Injection of Natural Gas. International
Journal of Engine Research, Vol. 4, No. 4. 2003. Pp. 315-330.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Rogak, S., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S. The Effect of
Injection Parameter Variations on a Heavy-Duty Direct Injection Natural Gas Engine with
EGR. Technical Paper 2003-01-3089. SAE Transactions, Journal of Fuels and Lubricants,
Vol. 112, No. 4, 2003. Pp. 2103-2109.
Other Refereed Contributions
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Rogak, S.N, Hill, P.G., Munshi, S.R. and Bushe, W.K. The Effects
of Reingested Particles on Emissions from a Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine. SAE
Technical Paper 2006-01-3411. Presented at SAE Fall Powertrain and Fluid Systems
Conference, Toronto ON. October 2006.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Jones, H.L., Bushe, W.K., Rogak, S.N, Hill, P.G. and Munshi,
S.R. Hydrogen and Natural Gas Fuelling of a Heavy-Duty Engine. SAE Technical Paper
2006-01-0653. Presented at SAE World Congress, Detroit MI. April, 2006.
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Jones, H.L., McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., and Rogak, S.N. Effect of Exhaust Gas Recirculation
on Aerosol Size Distribution and Structure in the Exhaust from a Single Cylinder Heavy Duty
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GORDON McTAGGART-COWAN
Pilot-Ignited Natural Gas Fuelled Compression Ignition Engine. Presented at the European
Aerosol Conference 2005, Ghent, Belgium. September 2005.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Jones, H.L., Rogak, S.N., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi,
S.R. The Effects of High-Pressure Injection on a Compression-Ignition, Direct Injection of
Natural Gas Engine. ASME Technical Paper ICEF2005-1213. Presented at ASME Fall
Internal Combustion Engine Divison Conference, Ottawa ON. September, 2005. (also published
in revised form after separate review in ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power)
Non-refereed Contributions:
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Rogak, S.N, Munshi, S.R. and Hill, P.G.
Recirculated Particles in a Heavy-Duty Natural Gas Engine. Presented at the Combustion
Institute (Canadian Section) Spring Technical Meeting, Waterloo, ON. May 2006.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., Rogak, S.N, Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S.R. Effect of
EGR ‘type’ on a High-Pressure Direct Injection of Natural Gas Engine. Presented at the
Combustion Institute (Canadian Section) Spring Technical Meeting, Kingston, ON. May
2004.
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Jones, H.L., Rogak, S.N., McTaggart-Cowan, G., Bushe, W.K., and Munshi, S.R. Effect of
Dilution Ratio on Particle Mass and Size in Exhaust from a Compression Ignition, DirectInjected, Natural Gas Fuelled Engine. Presented at the Combustion Institute (Canadian
Section) Spring Technical Meeting, Kingston, ON. May 2004.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Rogak, S.N, Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S.R. Effect of
Diesel Pilot Quantity on a Direct Injection Natural Gas Engine. Presented at the Combustion
Institute (Canadian Section) Spring Technical Meeting, Vancouver, BC. May 2003.
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McTaggart-Cowan, G., Bushe, W.K., Hill, P.G. and Munshi, S.R. NOx Reduction from an
HPDI Engine with Cooled EGR. Presented at the Combustion Institute (Canadian Section)
Spring Technical Meeting, Windsor, ON. May 2002.
Patent:
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Munshi, S.R., McTaggart-Cowan, G.P., Bushe, W.K., and Rogak, S.N. Method and
Apparatus for Providing for High EGR Gaseous-Fuelled Direct Injection Internal Combustion
Engine. Canadian Patent # CA2442336. Issued September 19, 2006 (US Patent Application
#20060260585, submitted 28 March 2006).
Invited Presentations:
June 2006, AUTO21 Centre of Networks of Excellence Scientific Conference (Vancouver, BC)
 Panellist in discussion “Fuel Diversity and its role in Sustainable Transportation Systems”
 Focus on potential for gaseous fuels as near-term alternative
May 2006, AUTO21 Centre of Networks of Excellence Student Conference (Barrie, ON)
 Summary of Auto21-funded research project for new student researchers
June 2005, Westport Innovations Inc. Research Group
 Review of Ph.D. proposal, work to date, significance to Westport development program
May 2005, Westport Innovations Inc. Product Development Leadership Group
 Review of previous 5 years of work on collaborative research grant, future direction of research
April 2005, AUTO21 Display Booth Speaker Series, SAE World Congress Trade Show, Detroit, MI.
 Summary of heavy-duty natural gas fuelled engine research program at UBC
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GORDON McTAGGART-COWAN
May 2004, NRC/AUTO21 Engine Research Group Meeting (at NRC facility)
 Review of UBC engine research facilities, principal new objectives of research
January 2001-September 2004, Combustion Group, UBC
 Five separate presentations on pollutant formation and engine technology applications
September 2001, Westport Innovations Inc. & Visiting Researchers
 Summary of UBC engine research facilities, research results to date
Professional Activities:
Independent Peer Reviewer:
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ASME ICE Division Fall Conference. Technical Paper Reviewer. 2006.
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Society of Automotive Engineers. Technical Paper Reviewer. 2005 - present.
Memberships:
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Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. Engineer-inTraining. 2001- present.
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Air and Waste Management Association. Member. 2004 - present.
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Society of Automotive Engineers. Member. 2005 - present.
Revised 29/11/06