Nalim
Curriculum Vitae
M. RAZI NALIM, P.E., Ph.D.
Dr. Razi Nalim is Associate Professor at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology in
Indianapolis. He has 18 years of practical and analytical experience related to combustion engines
and related areas in industry, academia, and government. Since 1983, he has been involved in
internal combustion engine emissions control research, cogeneration systems development, and
engine testing. Dr. Nalim was a member of the wave rotor research team at the NASA Glenn
Research Center until 1997, where he investigated non-steady combustion and flow devices for
enhancement of gas turbine engines, and patented a new self-cooled wave rotor concept. Since then
he has received two additional patents for pulsed detonation propulsion concepts, and has established
a pioneering research program in non-steady flow and combustion processes at Purdue. In 2000, Dr.
Nalim led a consortium of university and industry researchers to form the Indiana Propulsion and
Power Center of Excellence, with a $2M grant from the State of Indiana 21st Century Fund for
Research & Technology. He has also initiated research in biological fluid non-steady flows. His
exceptional mentorship of young students is supported by his leadership of the Indiana Space Grant
Consortium as Associate Director. In 2002, Dr. Nalim was awarded the Abraham Max Distinguished
Professorship for research excellence at IUPUI – the highest honor of the Purdue School of
Engineering & Technology for research accomplishments. He has made invited presentations at
major companies and institutions worldwide on the development of novel wave devices utilizing
unsteady flow, and on engine emissions.
Education & Licensure:
Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1994
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 1985.
B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India, 1983.
Professional Engineer (P.E.), States of New York (1992), Indiana (2002).
Professional Experience:
1997-2003, Assistant Professor, Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, Indiana University
Purdue University Indianapolis, IN.
1994-1997, Research Associate, NASA Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, OH.
1994, Project Engineer, CFD Research Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
1989-1994, Research Associate and Graduate Research Assistant, Aerospace Engineering, Cornell
University, Ithaca, NY.
1992-1993, Consultant, in combustor design and emissions data acquisition, Ithaca, NY.
1989, Manager - Research Programs, Diesel and Gas Engineering Co., Beaver Dams, NY.
1985-1989, Research Staff Engineer, Diesel and Gas Engineering Co., Beaver Dams, NY.
1984, Graduate Research Assistant, Mechanical Engineering, and Teaching Assistant, Physics,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
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Selected Honors & Appointments:
1. Abraham Max Distinguished Professorship award for excellence in research, Purdue School of
Engineering and Technology, IUPUI, 2002.
2. National Research Council Associateship award for research at NASA (1994-1997).
3. Associate Director for IUPUI, Indiana Space Grant Consortium (2001-).
Professional Affiliations: American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) - Senior Member, The Combustion Institute, American Society
for Engineering Education.
Selected Publications:
1. R. Nalim and K. Pekkan, “Internal Combustion Wave Rotors for Gas Turbine Engine Enhancement”,
International Gas Turbine Conference, IGTC2003-ABS-146, Japan, submitted 2003.
2. M.R. Nalim and K. Pekkan, “A Review of Rotary Pressure-Gain Combustion Systems for Gas
Turbine Applications,” ASME GT-2003-38349, Turbo Expo 2003, Atlanta, Georgia.
3. S. Chowdhury and R. Nalim, “Computational Study of Fuel Injection in a Large-Bore Gas Engine,”,
ICEF2003-755, ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division and Rail Transportation Division 2003
Fall Technical Conference, accepted.
4. R. Nalim, K. Pekkan, H. B. Sun, and H. Yokota, “Oscillating Couette Flow for In Vitro Cell
Loading,” Journal of Biomechanics, submitted 2003.
5. K. Pekkan, R. Nalim and H. Yokota, “Computed Synovial Fluid Flow in a Simple Knee Joint
Model,” FEDSM2003-45430, 4th ASME_JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference. Honolulu,
July, 2003.
6. M.R. Nalim, “Thermodynamic Limits of Work and Pressure Gain in Combustion and Evaporation
Processes,” AIAA J. of Propulsion & Power, Vol.18, No.6, pp. 1176-1182, Nov-Dec 2002.
7. C.F. Smith, P.H. Snyder, C.W. Emmerson, & M.R. Nalim, “Impact of the Constant Volume
Combustor on a Supersonic Turbofan Engine,” AIAA paper 2002-3916, 38th Joint Propulsion
Conference, Indianapolis, IN, Jul 2002.
8. P. Snyder, B. Alparslan, & R. Nalim, “Gas Dynamic Analysis of the Constant Volume Combustor, A
Novel Detonation Cycle,” AIAA paper 2002-4069, 38th Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis,
IN, Jul 2002.
9. K. Pekkan & R. Nalim, “Control of Fuel and Hot-Gas Leakage in a Stratified Internal Combustion
Wave Rotor,” AIAA paper 2002-4067, 38th Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, IN, Jul 2002.
10. Z. Izzy & R. Nalim, “Wave-Fan and Rotary-Ejector Pulse Detonation Performance Prediction,”
AIAA paper 2002-4068, 38th Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, IN, Jul 2002.
11. K. Pekkan & R. Nalim, “Comparisons of Combustion Models for Wave Rotor Combustion
Simulation,” Spring Technical Meeting, Combustion Institute - Central States Section, Apr 2002.
12. Nalim, M.R., and Izzy, Z.A., “Simulation of a Wave Rotor Pulse Detonation Engine with Integrated
Ejector”, International Symposium on Airbreathing Engines, September 2001, Bangalore, India.
13. Nalim, M.R., and Izzy, Z.A., “Rotary Ejector Enhanced Pulsed Detonation System”, AIAA paper
2001-3613, July 2001, 37th Joint Propulsion Conference, Salt Lake City, UT.
14. K. Pekkan and M.R. Nalim, “Two-Dimensional Flow and NOx Emissions In Deflagrative Internal
Combustion Wave Rotor Configurations”, ASME Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and
Power, in press, and ASME Turbo Expo 2002.
15. Q.Z. Jackson. T.H. Jackson, A. Ungan, R. Pidaparti, and R. Nalim, “Numerical Study of Crack
Detection based on Microwave-Induced Heating and Thermography” Proc. SPIE Vol. 4335, p. 392-
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398, Advanced Nondestructive Evaluation for Structural and Biological Health Monitoring,
Tribikram Kundu; Ed. July, 2001.
16. Hui Bin Sun, Razi Nalim, and Hiroki Yokota “Expression and activities of matrix metalloproteinases
under oscillatory shear in IL-1-stimulated synovial cells”. Connective Tissue Research, 44: 42-99,
2003.
17. Gunter, L.A., and Nalim, M.R., “Dynamic Performance Of Conventional And Electrically Activated
Engine Thermostats”, ASME Internal Combustion Engine Division Spring Technical Conference,
April 2001, Philadelphia, PA.
18. K. K. Fong & M. R. Nalim, “Gas Dynamic Limits and Optimization of Pulsed Detonation Static
Thrust”, AIAA paper 2000-3471, 36th Joint Propulsion Conference, Huntsville, AL, July 2000.
19. Z. Izzy, K. K. Fong & M. R. Nalim, “Valved Pulsed Combustor Performance with Detonative and
Deflagrative Combustion”, 2000 Technical Meeting of the Central States Section of the Combustion
Institute, Indianapolis, IN, April 2000.
20. M. R. Nalim, "Longitudinally-Stratified Combustion in Wave Rotors", AIAA J. of Propulsion &
Power AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 1060-1068, Nov-Dec 2000..
21. D.E. Paxson & M.R. Nalim, "Modified Through-Flow Wave-Rotor Cycle with Combustor Bypass
Ducts". AIAA J. of Propulsion & Power, v.15, No.3, May-June 1999.
22. M.R. Nalim, "Assessment of Combustion Modes for Internal Combustion Wave Rotors", ASME J. of
Engineering for Gas Turbines & Power, v.121, April 1999.
23. M.R. Nalim, “Thermodynamic Limits Of Pressure Gain And Work Production In Combustion And
Evaporation Processes”, AIAA paper 98-3398, Cleveland, OH, July 1998.
24. M.R. Nalim & D.E. Paxson, "A Numerical Investigation of Premixed Combustion in Wave Rotors".
ASME J. of Engineering for Gas Turbines & Power, v.119, p.668, July 1997.
25. M.R. Nalim & E.L. Resler Jr., "Wave Cycle Design for Wave Rotor Gas Turbine Engines with Low
NOx emissions". ASME J. of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, V.118, p.474, July, 1996.
26. E.L. Resler Jr., J.C. Mocsari, & M.R. Nalim, "Analytic Design Methods for Wave Cycles", AIAA J.
of Propulsion and Power, V.10, No.5, pp. 683-689, Sept-Oct 1994.
27. M.R. Nalim, N.C. Suresh, F.D. Mills, & E. Primrose, "ALCO 251SI Lean Burn PCC Engine Simultaneous NOx and Non-Methane Hydrocarbon Emissions Minimization using a Programmable
Controller", Engine Design, Operation, and Control using Computer Systems, D.L. Harrington (ed.),
ICE-Vol. 9, pp. 21-24, ASME, 1989.
28. M.R. Nalim, I.C. Cook, J.K. Tice, & M.K. Jones, "Development of a Low Emission Gas Engine for a
40kWe Cogeneration Unit", New Engine Technology for Cogeneration, J.M. Bailey (ed.), ICE-Vol.
2, pp. 69-74, ASME, 1987.
Patents:
1. M.R. Nalim & D.E. Paxson, "Method and Apparatus for Cold-Gas Reinjection in Through-Flow and
Reverse-Flow Wave Rotors", U.S. Patent 5,894,719, granted April 1999.
2. M.R. Nalim, “Wave Rotor Detonation Engine”, U.S. patent 6,460,342, October 2002.
3. M.R. Nalim, “Partitioned Multi-Channel Combustor”, U.S. patent 6,526,936, March 2003.
4. M. R. Nalim, “Rotary Ejector Enhanced Pulsed Detonation System”, provisional patent application,
July 2001.
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Selected Recent External Research Grants:
1. Cummins Inc., “Engine Cooling System Design and Evaluation”, PI, $102K, pending, Jul 2003- Jun
2004. This project is to design and evaluate novel cooling systems with reduced energy use.
2. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center, “Wave Fan and
Hybrid Pulse Detonation Engine,” PI, $121,759, Dec. 1999 - Dec 2002. The objective of this project
is to develop advanced high-efficiency engine components for aircraft propulsion, based on nonsteady fluid mechanics and combustion, using computer simulations and statistical design methods.
3. State of Indiana 21st Century Research & Technology Fund, “Advanced Propulsion and Power
Institute: Innovative Propulsion and Systems and High-Fidelity Computer Simulation,” co-PI,
$2,000,000 total award, PI for IUPUI $252,832 award, Jan 2001 - Dec 2002. This collaboration
project with Purdue University Zucrow Labs, Rolls Royce, and other partners, aimed to develop
advanced aircraft and rocket engine technologies. IUPUI utilized computer modeling to design novel
unsteady combustion/detonation wave rotor engines.
4. Dresser-Rand, “Two-Stroke Engine Flow Simulation” $78,360, PI, Apr 2001 - Apr 2002. This
project was performed to use computational fluid mechanics to evaluate high-pressure fuel injection
valve designs for large-bore natural gas engines, to enhance fuel-air mixing and reduce pollutant
emissions.
5. Allison Advanced Development Co., lead contractor to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
(DARPA), “Wave Rotor Detonation Engine Performance,” $79,574, PI, Apr 2001 - Feb 2002. This
project was to design a novel detonative combustion engine using computational fluid mechanics to
simulate complex gas dynamic and combustion processes, funded by DARPA.
6. Blue Operations-LLC, “Wave Rotor Engine for Space Propulsion” $14,943, PI, Oct 2001 - Apr 2002.
This project aimed to study the feasibility of advanced detonative combustion systems for propulsion
to space orbit.
7. National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) Glenn Research Center, “Low-Emission SelfCooled Combustion Wave Rotor”, PI, $54K, Nov 1998 – Jun 2001. This project was aimed to
develop novel aircraft combustor concepts for higher engine efficiency, using computational fluid
dynamics to simulate proposed concepts and methods for heat mitigation and reduced pollution.
Major Advisorship for Graduate Theses:
1. Berrak Alparslan, PhD thesis in progress.
2. Jace McFerran, MSME thesis in progress.
3. Arnab Bannerjee, MSME thesis in progress
4. Tao Geng, “Parametric Study of Rotary Ejector Wave Rotor Detonation Engine using a Design-ofExperiments Approach (tentative),” MSME thesis in progress.
5. Snehaunshu Chowdhury, “Geometry Design Evaluation of High-Pressure Fuel Injection Transient
Jets (tentative),” MSME thesis in progress.
6. Berrak Alparslan, “Performance Analysis of Novel Wave Rotor Pulsed Detonation Engine Cycles
(tentative),” MSME, Dec. 2002. Alparslan has two conference papers, one with Dr. Nalim as listed,
and one as sole author.
7. Kok Kee Fong, MSME thesis, “Parametric Study of A Pulse Detonation Engine,” Dec 2000. Fong
has two conference papers with Dr. Nalim.
Major Advisorship for Graduate Projects:
1. K. Omran, “Fast Deflagrations (tentative)”, ME 597 project in progress.
2. Salim Semssar, “Basic Flow Analysis of ATS Hydraulic Power Steering Rotary Valve,” ME 597
project in progress.
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3. Kumaran Palanisamy, “A Numerical Simulation Study of Two Dimensional Transient Combustion in
a Wave Rotor,” ME 697 project, Dec 2001.
4. Kelly Ledbetter, “Simulation of Battery Cooling Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Software,”
ME 597 project, Dec 2001.
5. Zuhair Izzy, “Comparison of Detonation and Deflagration Combustion in Valved Pulsed
Combustors,” ME 697 project, Jul 2000. Izzy published one conference paper with Dr. Nalim from
this work, and three additional conference papers from ensuing work after graduation, as listed.
6. Alan Gunter, “Dynamic Performance of Conventional and Electrically Activated Engine
Thermostats,” ME 697 project, 2000. Gunter published one refereed conference paper with Dr.
Nalim from this work.
7. Alan Gunter, “CFD Model of Electrically Activated Thermostat,” ME 697 project, 2000.
8. Felicia Hinant, “Mesh Generation of a Wave Rotor Test Channel with a Converging-Diverging
Nozzle for use with KIVA-3V,” ME 697 project, 1999.
9. Felicia Hinant, “Investigation of Emissions Testing and Emissions Modeling of Hybrid Electric
Vehicles,” ME 697 project, 1999.
Mentorship for Undergraduate Projects:
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Marques Franklin, “Pulsejet Engine Testing and Simulation”, Honors 499 Project, 2003.
Dana Bradbury, “Pulsejet Engine Testing and Ejector Design”, ME491 project, 2003.
Dana Bradbury, “Design of Wave Rotor Sealing Test Rig,” informal project, 2003.
Ryan Harper, “Animation of Couette Flow Loader flow for biomedical experiments”, informal
project 2003.
Jason Abshire, “Design of Wave Rotor Combustion Experiment and Sealing Test,” ME 491 project,
2002.
Jeremy Mitchell, “Demonstration of Defense Missile Guidance System,” project in progress, 2002.
Steve Vanlandingham, “A Computational Aerodynamic Analysis of an Open-Wheeled Racecar
Body,” ME 491 project, Apr 2002.
Anh Thu Nguyen “Flight Principles and Balsa Airplane Build-Fly,” MEAP session, Summer 2001.
Dennis Walsh ,”Wave Rotor Modeling Using Pro Engineer,” ME 491 project, May 2001.
Diane Rousseau, informal project on wave rotor modeling using Pro Engineer, 2000-01.
Geoffrey Ostermeyer, “Modeling, Meshing, and Analysis of a Two-Stroke Engine,” ME 491 project,
Jan 2001.
Anh Thu Nguyen, informal math project related to oscillating Couette flow, 1999-2000.
Benjamin Burns, “CAD Model of a Two-Stroke Engine Cylinder for Use in Inflow Simulation,” ME
196 Honors project, Fall 2000.
Patrick Delp, “Constant Volume Combustion Thermodynamics,” ME 200 Honors project, Fall 2000.
Natalie Ridao, “Gas Turbine Engines,” ME 196 Honors project, Fall 2000.
Patrick Delp, “The Comparison and Contrast of AutoCAD and ProEngineer,” ME 196 Honors
project, Fall 1999.
T. Rembold, S. Otmishi, M. Young, & K.T. Lim, “Design of a Fast and Low-Obstruction Valve for
Non-Steady Flow Visualization Experiment,” ME 462 Senior Design project, May 1998.
Josh Mattes, informal project on pressure gain combustion thermodynamics, 1997-98.
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