Emeritus Professor David Mee
Emeritus Professor

David Mee

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Background

Prof David Mee's research interests are in Hypersonic and Supersonic Flow.

After completing his PhD at UQ, he spent five years as a Research Fellow in the turbomachinery research group at Oxford University in the U.K. He returned to UQ as an ARC Queen Elizabeth II Research Fellow in 1991 and joined the academic staff of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1993. He served as Head of the Division of Mechanical Engineering from 2007 to 2017, acting Head of the School of Engineering from January to July 2009 and Head of the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering from July 2009 to February 2017. He retired in 2020 and is currently an Emeritus Professor in the School.

David's main areas of research are focussed in the field of hypersonics aerothermodynamics. He has undertaken much research on rapid response, stress-wave force balances, which are essential technology for categorising the performance of scramjet engines in transient facilities, such as shock tubes. He was a member of the team that conducted the first known wind-tunnel test in which a scramjet vehicle produced net thrust. He has also published on the transient processes in the latter stages of boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows.

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Mee is:
Not available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Aerodynamics (excl. hypersonic aerodynamics) Engineering Hypersonic propulsion and hypersonic aerothermodynamics Satellite, space vehicle and missile design and testing

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Boundary-layer Transition

    This project studies the processes by which a laminar boundary layer transitions to a turbulent one under conditions of hypervelocity flow. This will lead to a better understanding and improved modelling of the high-speed transition process.

  • Boundary-layer combustion

    Injection, ignition and combustion of fuel into the boundary layer of a supersonic flow can lead to substantial reductions in skin friction. This has potential for improvement of the performance of scramjet-powered vehicles.

  • Force Measurement in Impulse Facilities

    Measurement of aerodynamic forces on bodies in short-duration impulse facilities. A number of such facilities exist at The University of Queensland.

  • Scramjet Testing in Shock Tunnels

    Generally half the drag of hypersonic vehicles will be caused by air friction on the aircraft's skin. A new method of reducing skin friction has been discovered. The range of conditions under which this method will be effective are being investigated.

Search Professor David Mee’s works on UQ eSpace

157 works between 1984 and 2024
All (157) Journal Article (58) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (91) Other Outputs (4) Edited Outputs (3)

1 - 20 of 157 works

2024

Conference Publication

Investigation of post-shock fluctuation levels in non-equilibrium hypersonic flow conditions

Ananthapadmanaban, Ramprakash, Wallington, James, Hopkins, Keill, Gibbons, Nicholas, Toki, Takahiko, Scalo, Carlo, Gildfind, David, James, Christopher, Mee, David J. and Veeraragavan, Ananthanarayanan (2024). Investigation of post-shock fluctuation levels in non-equilibrium hypersonic flow conditions. 24th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Canberra, ACT Australia, 2-5 December 2024. Perth, WA Australia: 24th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.14213518

Investigation of post-shock fluctuation levels in non-equilibrium hypersonic flow conditions

2024

Journal Article

Noise generated in a scramjet combustor

Ananthapadmanaban, Ramprakash, McIntyre, Timothy J., Wheatley, Vincent and Mee, David J. (2024). Noise generated in a scramjet combustor. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 61 (4), 1006-1018. doi: 10.2514/1.a35779

Noise generated in a scramjet combustor

2024

Journal Article

Experimental verification of a modified cylindrical focused laser differential interferometer

Hopkins, Keill J., Ananthapadmanaban, Ramprakash, McIntyre, Timothy J., Mee, David J., Wheatley, Vincent and Veeraragavan, Ananthanarayanan (2024). Experimental verification of a modified cylindrical focused laser differential interferometer. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 61 (5), 1-10. doi: 10.2514/1.a35842

Experimental verification of a modified cylindrical focused laser differential interferometer

2023

Conference Publication

Measurements of Free stream Density Fluctuations in the T4 Stalker Tube

Ananthapadmanaban, Ramprakash, Veeraragavan, Ananthanarayanan, McIntyre, Timothy, Wheatley, Vincent and Mee, David (2023). Measurements of Free stream Density Fluctuations in the T4 Stalker Tube. 25th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Karnataka, India, 28 May - 1 June 2023. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-3031

Measurements of Free stream Density Fluctuations in the T4 Stalker Tube

2023

Journal Article

Heat-transfer gauge arrays for identifying spot initiation in hypersonic transitional boundary layers

Mee, David J., Raghunath, Sreekanth and McGilvray, Matthew (2023). Heat-transfer gauge arrays for identifying spot initiation in hypersonic transitional boundary layers. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 60 (5), 1-8. doi: 10.2514/1.a35662

Heat-transfer gauge arrays for identifying spot initiation in hypersonic transitional boundary layers

2023

Journal Article

Optimum combination of diesel and concentrating solar in remote area power generation using supercritical CO2 turbines

Lee, Sangkyoung, Mee, David J., Guan, Zhigiang and Gurgenci, Hal (2023). Optimum combination of diesel and concentrating solar in remote area power generation using supercritical CO2 turbines. Energy Conversion and Management, 278 116714, 116714. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.116714

Optimum combination of diesel and concentrating solar in remote area power generation using supercritical CO2 turbines

2023

Conference Publication

Noise generated in a scramjet combustor

Ananthapadmanaban, Ramprakash, McIntyre, Tim, Wheatley, Vincent and Mee, David (2023). Noise generated in a scramjet combustor. AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, National Harbor, MD, United States, 23 - 27 January 2023. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-0314

Noise generated in a scramjet combustor

2023

Conference Publication

Heat transfer measurements of the BOLT II flight experiment model within the T4 reflected shock tunnel

Landsberg, Will O., Sandral, Jacob, Mee, David and Veeraragavan, Anand (2023). Heat transfer measurements of the BOLT II flight experiment model within the T4 reflected shock tunnel. AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, National Harbor, MD USA/Online, 23-27 January 2023. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-0087

Heat transfer measurements of the BOLT II flight experiment model within the T4 reflected shock tunnel

2022

Journal Article

Off-Design Performance Prediction of Supercritical Co2 Radial Inflow Turbines

Lee, Sankyoung, Mee, David J., Guan, Zhigiang and Gurgenci, Hal (2022). Off-Design Performance Prediction of Supercritical Co2 Radial Inflow Turbines. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-28. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4166502

Off-Design Performance Prediction of Supercritical Co2 Radial Inflow Turbines

2022

Journal Article

Heat transfer measurements in an expansion tube using infrared thermography

Ramesh, Ranjini, Morgan, Richard G. and Mee, David J. (2022). Heat transfer measurements in an expansion tube using infrared thermography. AIAA Journal, 60 (2), 883-891. doi: 10.2514/1.J059919

Heat transfer measurements in an expansion tube using infrared thermography

2021

Conference Publication

Measurements of density fluctuations in a scramjet combustor

Ramprakash, A., McIntyre, T. J., Wheatley, V. and Mee, D. J. (2021). Measurements of density fluctuations in a scramjet combustor. Australian Combustion Symposium, Toowoomba, QLD Australia, 21-24 November 2021. Sydney, NSW Australia: Australia and New Zealand Combustion Institute.

Measurements of density fluctuations in a scramjet combustor

2021

Journal Article

Part-load performance prediction model for supercritical CO2 radial inflow turbines

Lee, Sangkyoung, Yaganegi, Grant, Mee, David J., Guan, Zhigiang and Gurgenci, Hal (2021). Part-load performance prediction model for supercritical CO2 radial inflow turbines. Energy Conversion and Management, 235 113964, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2021.113964

Part-load performance prediction model for supercritical CO2 radial inflow turbines

2021

Conference Publication

A generalised calibration procedure for performing infrared thermography in expansion tubes

Ramesh, Ranjini, Morgan, Richard G. and Mee, David J. (2021). A generalised calibration procedure for performing infrared thermography in expansion tubes. AIAA Aviation Forum, Virtual, 2-6 August 2021. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-2981

A generalised calibration procedure for performing infrared thermography in expansion tubes

2020

Conference Publication

Meanline Design and Off-Design Performance Prediction for Supercritical CO2 Radial Inflow Turbines

Lee, Sangkyoung, Mee, David, Guan, Zhiqiang and Gurgenci, Halg (2020). Meanline Design and Off-Design Performance Prediction for Supercritical CO2 Radial Inflow Turbines. 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference AFMC2020, Brisbane, Australia, 7-10 December 2020. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/6ce0260

Meanline Design and Off-Design Performance Prediction for Supercritical CO2 Radial Inflow Turbines

2020

Conference Publication

Transition-Length Predictions for Hypersonic Flows with an Adverse Pressure Gradient

Convery-Brien, Isaac, Raghunath, Sreekanth and Mee, David (2020). Transition-Length Predictions for Hypersonic Flows with an Adverse Pressure Gradient. 22nd Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference AFMC2020, Brisbane, Australia, 7-10 December 2020. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/929d0e1

Transition-Length Predictions for Hypersonic Flows with an Adverse Pressure Gradient

2020

Journal Article

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tunnel using a stress wave force balance

Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., Mee, David J., James, Christopher M. and Allsop, Barry V. (2020). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tunnel using a stress wave force balance. Experiments in Fluids, 61 (8) 180. doi: 10.1007/s00348-020-03015-4

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tunnel using a stress wave force balance

2020

Conference Publication

Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows

Ramesh, Ranjini, Morgan, Richard, Ravichandran, Ranjith and Mee, David (2020). Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Montréal, Québec, Canada, 10-12 March 2020. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-2415

Infrared thermography in expansion tubes for Martian entry flows

2020

Conference Publication

Static insertion loss, transmission loss and noise reduction testing of an acoustic louvre

Hayne, Michael, Tan, Dexter, Devereux, Richard and Mee, David J. (2020). Static insertion loss, transmission loss and noise reduction testing of an acoustic louvre. Acoustics 2019 - Sound Decisions: Moving forward with Acoustics, Cape Schanck, VIC, Australia, 10-13 November 2019. Australian Acoustical Society.

Static insertion loss, transmission loss and noise reduction testing of an acoustic louvre

2019

Journal Article

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tunnels using an accelerometer-based force balance

Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., McIntyre, Timothy J., Mee, David J., James, Christopher M. and Andrianatos, Andreas (2019). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tunnels using an accelerometer-based force balance. Experiments in Fluids, 60 (12) 183. doi: 10.1007/s00348-019-2828-9

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tunnels using an accelerometer-based force balance

2019

Conference Publication

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes using an accelerometer

Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E. , James, Christopher M., Andrianatos, Andreas, Mee, David J. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2019). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes using an accelerometer. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves, Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: Research Publishing Services. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0145-cd

Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes using an accelerometer

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Investigating the Influence of Tailored Wall Temperature Profiling on Hypersonic Boundary Layer Transition
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    3D Hypersonic Shock-Turbulent-Boundary-Layer Interactions
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Experimental study of non-equilibrium turbulence-chemistry interaction in external hypersonic flows
    United States Office of Naval Research
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2020 - 2024
    Advanced Ground Testing and Simulation of the Boundary Layer Transition (BOLT) Flight Experiment
    United States Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Optical Equipment for Advanced Thermofluid Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2024
    Hypersonic Science and Enabling Technologies - General Support
    Commonwealth Defence Science and Technology Group
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Experimental Studies of High-Speed Flows
    National University of Singapore Research Collaboration Agreement
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Acoustic loads on hypersonic engines (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Turbulent heat transfer during Mars Venus and Earth atmospheric entry
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Hydrocarbon fuel technology for hypersonic air breathing vehicles
    Cooperative Research Centre Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Optical diagnostics for the investigation of high-speed energetic processes (ARC LIEF project administered by The University of New South Wales)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Hypersonic Driver - NWTF Project
    University of Oxford
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Super high speed grinding facility for difficult-to-machine materials and structures
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2014
    Flow physics of porous wall fuel injection for scramjet combustion and drag reduction
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Infrastructure for hypersonic laboratories
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Flight Laboratory - Experiencing and analysing flight dynamics
    UQ Teaching & Learning Strategic Grants
    Open grant
  • 2009
    Ensuring a world-class hypersonic shock tunnel for maintaining world-leading hypersonic R&D
    UQ School/Centre Co-Funding
    Open grant
  • 2008
    Instrumentation Facility for Hypersonic Heat Transfer Measurements
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Enhancing Scramjet Performance By Boundary Layer Combustion
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Boundary layer transition lengths in hypervelocity flows
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2004 - 2008
    Mach 10 Hydrogen fuelled scramjet development
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2004
    Mach 10 Scramjet Flight Thrust Measurements - An extension to the HyShot Flight Program
    United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Minimizing hypersonic skin-friction by boundary-layer combustion
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2001
    Visit to the US and Japan to build productive commercial alliances with the international aerospace industry
    Department Industry Science & Resources
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Investigation of the process of boundary layer transition in hypervelocity flows
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2001
    Simultaneous lift moment and thrust measurement in hypervelocity flow
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Distribution of Heat Transfer Parameters to Surfaces in Supersonic Flows
    ARC Investigators - International Links
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Development of a hypervelocity test facility for rarefied gas flows
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Heat transfer measurements in a supersonic blowdown tunnel using liquid crystals
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996 - 1998
    Investigation of high quality nozzle design for shock tunnels
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Losses associated with trailing-edge blowing of turbine blades
    University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Aerodynamic force measurements in impulse hypersonic facilities
    ARC Australian Research Council (Large grants)
    Open grant

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Mee is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor David Mee directly for media enquiries about:

  • Aerodynamics
  • Boundary-layer combustion
  • Boundary-layer transition - engineering
  • Fluid mechanics
  • Gas turbines
  • Hypersonic flows
  • Jet engines
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Supersonic flows
  • Wind tunnels

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