Brent Rankin

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT BRENT RANKIN

Dr. Brent Rankin is a Senior Research Engineer in the Combustion Branch, Turbine Engine Division, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. He leads the combustion research and development group to conduct fundamental combustion research, develop emerging combustion systems, and enable future propulsion capabilities.Brent has guided multiple basic research, applied research, and advanced technology development programs to provide new insights into combustion systems by applying state-of-the-art optical diagnostics and modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques. His contributions have been instrumental for enhancing the performance of current technologies such as gas turbine combustors and augmentors and for advancing next-generation technologies such as rotating detonation engines. He has authored more than 110 articles in archival journals and conference proceedings. Additional details regarding his research and development contributions are available in the publications listed below. Brent has served as the Special Assistant to the Chief Scientist of the Air Force at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In this role, he made significant contributions to the development of the Air Force Science and Technology Strategy which provides a new vision, strategic direction, and guiding principles for the Air Force science and technology enterprise.Brent has received several national recognitions including the National Academy of Engineering National Research Council Fellowship, Air Force Research Laboratory Early Career Award, Purdue Outstanding Mechanical Engineer Award, and Purdue Engineering 38 by 38 Award. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). He received B.S, M.S, and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University.