University of Sydney - Australia
Author Profile
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Early Academic Pursuits
Dr. Andrew Macfarlane laid a strong academic foundation through his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (First Class Honours) from 2010 to 2014. His academic curiosity and technical aptitude led him to pursue a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sydney (2015–2019), specializing in combustion science. His doctoral research revolved around experimental combustion studies, focusing on autoignition in turbulent hydrogen flames using advanced diagnostics. From redesigning an autoignition burner to integrating non-intrusive measurements like Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames, Dr. Macfarlane displayed early signs of innovation and technical excellence.
Professional Endeavors
Following his PhD, Dr. Macfarlane has continued his cutting-edge work as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Sydney (2020–present). His professional journey includes hands-on experimental design, control systems engineering, and numerical simulations across a variety of fuel types including hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels. He has operated high-pressure diagnostic setups and conducted detailed Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames, as well as PLIF and thermometry measurements. His experience also includes tutoring fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, contributing to both research and education in mechanical engineering.
Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Macfarlane’s research contributions lie at the intersection of combustion science, laser diagnostics, and renewable energy fuels. He has focused extensively on Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames, shedding light on mixing profiles, flame stability, and autoignition behavior under varying pressures and compositions. He has designed and executed sophisticated experiments with advanced equipment like high-speed CMOS cameras, class-4 lasers, and spectrometers. His computational work includes 1D modeling to calculate flame speed, ignition delays, and extinction strain rates for complex fuel mixtures. His integration of experimental and computational analysis has provided novel insights into flame dynamics.
Impact and Influence
Dr. Macfarlane’s research has had a substantial impact on both the academic and practical aspects of combustion and energy systems. His work on Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames has improved the scientific understanding of hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative, influencing future designs of safe and efficient combustion systems. He has presented at major international combustion conferences, received the Best Student Paper Award at the Australian Combustion Symposium (2017), and earned the Australian Postgraduate Award (APA). These recognitions underscore his growing influence in the field of advanced diagnostics and renewable fuel technologies.
Academic Cites
With eight academic papers published and presentations at five major conferences, Dr. Macfarlane’s work has received significant attention within the scientific community. His contributions to Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames and autoignition analysis are widely cited, making his work a reference point for researchers exploring hydrogen combustion, flame dynamics, and laser diagnostic techniques.
Legacy and Future Contributions
Dr. Andrew Macfarlane’s legacy is marked by his deep technical understanding, innovative experiment design, and commitment to advancing clean energy research. His future research is expected to focus on next-generation diagnostic methods for combustion studies, including deeper insights into Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames under extreme operating conditions. With a passion for academic mentorship and continuous innovation, Dr. Macfarlane is poised to shape the future of combustion diagnostics and sustainable energy systems.
Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames
Dr. Macfarlane’s pioneering experiments involving Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames have significantly advanced the understanding of hydrogen combustion. His expertise in designing experiments and analyzing data from Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames has become integral to combustion science. The future of low-emission, high-efficiency fuel systems will be heavily influenced by research like his on Raman/Rayleigh diagnostics in diffusive turbulent hydrogen flames.
Notable Publication
Analysis of ejecta ignition and velocity from 18650 Li-ion battery cells during thermal runaway
Journal: Journal of Power Sources
Year: 2025
Citations: 0