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

158 works between 1984 and 2025
All (158) Journal Article (59) Book Chapter (1) Conference Publication (91) Other Outputs (4) Edited Outputs (3)

21 - 40 of 158 works

2019

Conference Publication

Testing and performance quantification of acoustic louvres

Hayne, Michael, Tan, Dexter, Devereux, Richard and Mee, David (2019). Testing and performance quantification of acoustic louvres. Australian Acoustical Society Annual Conference, AAS 2018, Adelaide, SA Australia, 7-9 November 2018. Toowong, QLD Australia: Australian Acoustical Society.

Testing and performance quantification of acoustic louvres

2019

Conference Publication

Stress wave force balance sting design for magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes

Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., McIntyre, Timothy J. and Mee, David J. (2019). Stress wave force balance sting design for magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes. Asia Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2019), Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-6 December 2019.

Stress wave force balance sting design for magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes

2019

Conference Publication

Removal of continuous extraneous noise from exceedance levels

Hugall, B., Brown, R. and Mee, D. J. (2019). Removal of continuous extraneous noise from exceedance levels. Australian Acoustical Society Annual Conference, AAS 2018, Adelaide, SA Australia, 7-9 November 2018. Toowong, QLD Australia: Australian Acoustical Society.

Removal of continuous extraneous noise from exceedance levels

2019

Conference Publication

Shock Layer Radiation Measurements at a Mars Entry Condition for Infrared Thermography

Ramesh, Ranjini, Kelly, Rory, Cullen, Timothy G., Morgan, Richard G. and Mee, David J. (2019). Shock Layer Radiation Measurements at a Mars Entry Condition for Infrared Thermography. AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, Dallas, TX, United States, 17-21 June 2019. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2019-3006

Shock Layer Radiation Measurements at a Mars Entry Condition for Infrared Thermography

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

2017

Journal Article

Estimating turbulent spot initiation rates from transition lengths in hypersonic boundary layers

Raghunath, Sreekanth, Mee, David and Narasimha, Roddam (2017). Estimating turbulent spot initiation rates from transition lengths in hypersonic boundary layers. AIAA Journal, 55 (11), 3640-3647. doi: 10.2514/1.J055502

Estimating turbulent spot initiation rates from transition lengths in hypersonic boundary layers

2017

Conference Publication

Dependence of turbulent Sspot initiation rates on hypersonic boundary layer flow parameters

Raghunath, Sreekanth , Narasimha, Roddam and Mee, David J. (2017). Dependence of turbulent Sspot initiation rates on hypersonic boundary layer flow parameters. 55th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Dallas, TX, United States, 9-13 January 2017. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2017-1684

Dependence of turbulent Sspot initiation rates on hypersonic boundary layer flow parameters

2016

Conference Publication

UQ research in transitional flows

Mee, D. J. and Raghunath, S. (2016). UQ research in transitional flows. 1st French-Australian Workshop on Re-entry and Hypersonic Aerothermodynamics, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23-25 February, 2016.

UQ research in transitional flows

2016

Conference Publication

Performance Comparison of Distributed Injection Methods for Hypersonic Film-Cooling

Basore, K. D., Selzer, M., Wheatley, V., Boyce, R. R., Mee, D. J., Capra, B. R., Kuhn, M. and Brieschenk, S. (2016). Performance Comparison of Distributed Injection Methods for Hypersonic Film-Cooling. 20th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 5-8 December 2016. Victoria, Australia: Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.

Performance Comparison of Distributed Injection Methods for Hypersonic Film-Cooling

2016

Conference Publication

Boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows

Mee, D. J. and Raghunath, S. (2016). Boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows. Franco-Australian Symposium on Hypersonics and High Enthalpy Flows, Châtenay-Malabry, France, 7-9 September 2016.

Boundary layer transition in hypersonic flows

2016

Conference Publication

Force Measurement in Impulse Hypersonic Facilities

Mee, D. J. (2016). Force Measurement in Impulse Hypersonic Facilities. First International Symposium on Hypersonics, Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 27-30 November 2016.

Force Measurement in Impulse Hypersonic Facilities

2016

Book Chapter

Free piston shock tunnels HEG, HIEST, T4 and T5

Hannemann, Klaus, Itoh, Katsuhiro, Mee, David J. and Hornung, Hans G. (2016). Free piston shock tunnels HEG, HIEST, T4 and T5. Experimental methods of shock wave research. (pp. 181-264) edited by Hans Grönig, Yasuyuki Horie and Kazuyoshi Takayama. London, United Kingdom: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-23745-9_7

Free piston shock tunnels HEG, HIEST, T4 and T5

2015

Journal Article

Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: effects of flow disturbances from rectangular-to-elliptical-shape-transition inlets

Chan, Wilson Y. K., Mee, David J., Smart, Michael K. and Turner, James C. (2015). Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: effects of flow disturbances from rectangular-to-elliptical-shape-transition inlets. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 31 (5), 1256-1267. doi: 10.2514/1.B35335

Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: effects of flow disturbances from rectangular-to-elliptical-shape-transition inlets

2015

Journal Article

Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: influence from disturbances typical of cross-stream fuel-injection

Chan, Wilson Y. K., Mee, David J., Smart, Michael K. and Turner, James C. (2015). Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: influence from disturbances typical of cross-stream fuel-injection. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 31 (5), 1486-1491. doi: 10.2514/1.B35665

Drag reduction by boundary-layer combustion: influence from disturbances typical of cross-stream fuel-injection

2015

Conference Publication

Experimental testing of an airframe-integrated three-dimensional scramjet at Mach 10

Doherty, Luke J., Smart, Michael K. and Mee, David J. (2015). Experimental testing of an airframe-integrated three-dimensional scramjet at Mach 10. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States, 16– 20 June 2014. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/1.J053785

Experimental testing of an airframe-integrated three-dimensional scramjet at Mach 10

2015

Conference Publication

Improving sound diffusion in a reverberation chamber

Mee, David J. and Vallis, Jack (2015). Improving sound diffusion in a reverberation chamber. Acoustics 2015, Hunter Valley, Australia, 15-18 November 2015. NSW Division of the Australian Acoustical Society.

Improving sound diffusion in a reverberation chamber

2015

Conference Publication

Turbulent spot initiation rates in boundary layers in a shock tunnel

Mee, D. J. and Tanguy, G. (2015). Turbulent spot initiation rates in boundary layers in a shock tunnel. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_99

Turbulent spot initiation rates in boundary layers in a shock tunnel

2015

Conference Publication

Measurement of three-components of force on an airframe integrated scramjet at Mach 10

Doherty, Luke J., Smart, Michael K. and Mee, David J. (2015). Measurement of three-components of force on an airframe integrated scramjet at Mach 10. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, 6-9 July 2015. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-3523

Measurement of three-components of force on an airframe integrated scramjet at Mach 10

2014

Conference Publication

Experimental testing of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet at true mach 10 flight conditions

Doherty, Luke J., Smart, Michael K. and Mee, David J. (2014). Experimental testing of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet at true mach 10 flight conditions. AIAA AVIATION 2014 -19th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference 2014, Atlanta, GA, United States, 16-20 June 2014. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.. doi: 10.2514/MHYTASP14

Experimental testing of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet at true mach 10 flight conditions

2013

Journal Article

Nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle at Mach 7.9 flight conditions

Tanimizu, Katsuyoshi, Mee, David J., Stalker, Raymond J. and Jacobs, Peter A. (2013). Nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle at Mach 7.9 flight conditions. Shock Waves, 23 (5), 453-460. doi: 10.1007/s00193-013-0449-4

Nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle at Mach 7.9 flight conditions

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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