Christopher D. Depcik

Business Address
2032 W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory
1231 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Home Address
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
   
Education University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  Postdoctoral Researcher. Department of Mechanical Engineering
  Research focuses on catalytic reduction of problematic species from the exhaust of advanced internal combustion engines and reforming of fuels into hydrogen for the next generation of energy systems.  (January 2004 – present)
   
  University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
Doctor of Philosophy, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
  Thesis:
  Chair: Dionissios (Dennis) N. Assanis, Mechanical Engineering
  Committee: Michael M. Chen, Mechanical Engineering
    Bram van Leer, Aerospace Engineering
Hong G. Im, Mechanical Engineering
 
  University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  Master of Science, Department of Aerospace Engineering, December 2002.
  Thesis:
  Committee: Bram van Leer, Aerospace Engineering
    Phil Roe, Aerospace Engineering
 
  University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
  Master of Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering, December 1999.
  Thesis:
  Committee: Dionissios (Dennis) N. Assanis, Mechanical Engineering
    Zoran Filipi, Mechanical Engineering
 
  University of Florida Gainesville, FL
  Bachelor of Science, Department of Mechanical Engineering, May 1997.
  Graduated with High Honors
 
Awards Who’s Who in America (2007).  William Mirsky Memorial Award for outstanding research and academic achievement at the master’s level, University of Michigan (1999-2000). American Society for Engineering Education Outstanding Student Instructor Award, University of Michigan (1999).
 
Research University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
Experience Advisor: Dionissios (Dennis) N. Assanis
 
  • Currently developing kinetic mechanisms for novel aftertreatment system utilizing multiple devices for removal of Nitrous Oxide and Particulate Matter emissions.  Work involves maximizing production of different chemical species in order to increase overall system efficiency.  Inclusion of simulation efforts into control algorithms for optimizing experimental setup is also underway.
  • Collaborating on model of fuel processing system used for the generation of hydrogen from alternative fuel sources.  Work incorporates heat exchangers for thermal control of each device in system.  Model will be used to guide experimental endeavors proving the effectiveness of the design.
  • Leading aftertreatment phase of Automotive Research Center case study for Advanced and Hybrid Propulsion Systems project.  Goal of work is to meet Environmental Protection Agency emission standards for light-duty diesel engines using high-sulfur fuels.
  • Assisting aftertreatment development in General Motors Collaborative Research Laboratories for the next generation of internal combustion engines utilizing Low Temperature Combustion.  Acquired fundamental knowledge will help develop strategies and methodologies for optimizing the efficiency of each aftertreatment device based on desired speed/load operating ranges.
  • Developed catalyst and particulate filter simulations used for modeling any type of aftertreatment device considered for the exhaust cleanup of internal combustion engines.  Models have the ability to utilize global or detailed kinetic mechanisms depending on level of description needed.  Graphical User Interfaces built around the numerical code allow other researchers to readily use the models.  Matlab Simulink versions of the simulations allow for full system configurations and kinetic parameter optimization using experimental data.
  • Led one modeling phase of microreactor Fuel Processors for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells project for Department of Energy.  Generated global kinetic mechanisms used in compact fuel processors for the purpose of on-board vehicle production of hydrogen.  Catalyst models created were used in validation of steady-state configuration of methanol fuel processing.
  • Created shock-tube simulation using second-order accurate variable-property reacting-gas dynamics model in one-dimension.  Incorporated CHEMKIN into solver to handle gas phase homogeneous kinetics with Graphical User Interface allowing for incorporation of as many species as necessary.
  • Headed exhaust system and aftertreatment modeling task for U. S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command project.  The project involved simulation based design and demonstration of the next generation of advanced diesel technology with high power density, superior fuel economy and near-zero regulated emissions.  Developed urea and hydrocarbon injection models to help engineers with placement of reductant systems in the exhaust for proper utilization of a number of aftertreatment devices.
  • Initiated General Motors Collaborative Research Laboratories engine systems setup.  Designed cooling, oil and fuel systems for future implementation and began construction of integrated systems. (May 1998 – Present)
 
Professional General Motors Corporation Warren, MI
Experience
 Internship  
 
Advisor: Richard J. Blint
 
 
  • Developed Lean NOx Trap catalyst model for use within Matlab Simulink environment.  Extended Three-Way Catalyst model to account for the latest literature kinetics. (May – August 2002)
     
  Ford Motor Company Dearborn, MI
  Internship
  Advisor: Steve D. Miles
 
  • Powertrain Attribute Integrator (PTAI) for European luxury sedans which involved assembling and documenting information from various powertrain attributes for Ford vehicle checkpoints.  Participated in Target Cascade meetings of attribute metrics from vehicle level to sub-system level.  Provided program support for PTAI cascade of metrics and incorporation into Ford Product Development System. (May – August 1997)
 
  Jacksonville Electric Authority Jacksonville, FL
  Co-operative Educational Program  
  Co-advisors: Mindy H. Grinnan, J. Todd Lovelace and Robert Kermitz
 
  • Performed analysis and subsequent modification of power-generating unit dehumidification system from nitrogen wet-blanketing to dry air.  Assisted Performance Engineers with capture and analysis of flue gases aimed at the reduction of NOX through ammonia selective non-catalytic methods.  Modeled turbine efficiency and thermodynamic heat rates of power-generating units in order to maximize energy recovery of the steam lines.  Construction Manager for projects such as re-modeling of chemistry lab, clean up of the older units and resealing of the heat exchanger tubes.  Documented system efficiency in engineering studies of closed cooling system for a power-generating unit.  (May 1995 – December 1996)
 
Teaching and University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI
Mentorship Lecturer
Experience
  • Currently teaching a class on Internal Combustion engines which involves assisting students with understanding of material ranging from thermodynamic cycles to experimental data analysis.  Created Windows-based analytical programs to illustrate pertinent engine phenomena.  Supervision of laboratories that help students attain an understanding of experimental data acquisition.  Data generated during labs is compared to analytical models to illustrate real-world differences. (August 2006 – present)
 

Alliance for Learning and Vision for Underrepresented Americans Program Supervisor
 
  • Oversaw undergraduate freshman research work which documented the history of the Oxidation Catalyst.  Objective of the work was to provide background information needed by researchers for modeling surface kinetics. (June – August 2005)

Graduate Student Mentor
 
  • Mentor for Graduate Student Instructors to assist in their development as teachers. Provided support in the form of objective observations, workshop development and other educational areas.  (January 2000 – May 2002)
  Graduate Student Instructor
 
  • Teaching assistant for Internal Combustion engines class mentioned above. (September – December 1998, 1999, 2003)
   
Presentations “.” C. Depcik.  Eighth CLEERS Workshop: 17 May 2005, University of Michigan - Dearborn, Dearborn, MI.
   
  “.”  C. Depcik.  Seventh CLEERS Workshop: 17 June 2004, Detroit Diesel, Detroit, MI.
   
  “.”  C. Depcik and B. van Leer.  16th AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, 24 June 2003, Orlando, FL.
   
  “.” C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  SAE 2002 World Congress & Exhibition, 5 March 2002, Detroit, MI.
   
Publications “A Global Lean NOx Trap Mechanism Including NH3 and N2O Production .” C. Depcik, D. Assanis and K. Bevan. (2007).
   
  “Merging Undergraduate and Graduate Fluid Mechanics Through the Use of the SIMPLE Method for the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Equations.”  C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  Accepted by International Journal of Engineering Education (2006).
   
  “One-Dimensional Based Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter Model in Area Conservation Format Including the Soot and Wall Layers.”  C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  (2006).
   
  “Instructional Use of a Single Zone, Pre-mixed Spark-ignition Heat Release Simulation.” C. Depcik, T. Jacobs, J. Hagena and D. Assanis.  Accepted by International Journal of Mechanical Engineering Education (2006).
   
  “.” C. Sampara, C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, 5-11 November 2005, Orlando, FL (IMECE2005-81330).
   
  “.” C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  Progress in Energy and Combustion Science; vol. 31 (4), pp. 308-369 (2005).
   
  “.”  C. Depcik, B. van Leer and D. Assanis.  Numerical Heat Transfer – Part A: Applications; vol. 47 (1), pp. 27-56 (2005).
   
  “.”  C. Depcik and D. Assanis.  Computer Applications in Engineering Education, vol. 13 (1): pp. 48-59 (2005).
   
  “.” C. Depcik and B. van Leer.  16th AIAA Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, 23-26 June 2003, Orlando, FL (AIAA Paper 2003-3703).
   
  “.” SAE 2002 Transactions Journal of Engines; vol. 111 (3), pp. 734-741 (SAE Paper 2002-01-0372).
   
Activities Member, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2000-present.  Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2003-present.  Volunteer, Humane Society of Huron Valley.  , Ann Arbor Community Education and Recreation.  Interests include running, , , and bass guitar.
   

Teaching
Interests

 Thermodynamics
Computational Fluid Dynamics

Heat Transfer
Compressible Flow

Fluid Dynamics
Solar Energy
  Programming for Engineers Incompressible Flow Combustion
  Aftertreatment Modeling Automotive Engineering Energy Conversion
       
References Available Upon Request