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)

41 - 60 of 158 works

2013

Journal Article

An experimental study on aerodynamic performance of turbine nozzle guide vanes with trailing-edge span-wise ejection

Aminossadati, S. M. and Mee, D. J. (2013). An experimental study on aerodynamic performance of turbine nozzle guide vanes with trailing-edge span-wise ejection. Journal of Turbomachinery, 135 (3) 031002, 031002.1-031002.12. doi: 10.1115/1.4006663

An experimental study on aerodynamic performance of turbine nozzle guide vanes with trailing-edge span-wise ejection

2013

Conference Publication

Ethylene augmentation of JP-8+100 in a supersonic combustor

Bateup, Mark L., Paull, Allan and Mee, David J. (2013). Ethylene augmentation of JP-8+100 in a supersonic combustor. JPC 2013: 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, San Jose, CA, United States, 14-17 July, 2013. Red Hook, NY, USA: Curran Associates. doi: 10.2514/6.2013-3700

Ethylene augmentation of JP-8+100 in a supersonic combustor

2012

Journal Article

Suitability of the k-omega turbulence model for scramjet flowfield simulations

Chan, W. Y. K., Jacobs, P. A. and Mee, D. J. (2012). Suitability of the k-omega turbulence model for scramjet flowfield simulations. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids, 70 (4), 493-514. doi: 10.1002/fld.2699

Suitability of the k-omega turbulence model for scramjet flowfield simulations

2012

Journal Article

Nanoparticle-induced morphology and hydrophilicity of structured surfaces

Gao, Nan, Yan, Yuying, Chen, Xinyong and Mee, David J. (2012). Nanoparticle-induced morphology and hydrophilicity of structured surfaces. Langmuir, 28 (33), 12256-12265. doi: 10.1021/la302627n

Nanoparticle-induced morphology and hydrophilicity of structured surfaces

2012

Journal Article

Supersonic skin-friction drag with tangential wall slot fuel injection and combustion

Kirchhartz, Rainer M., Mee, David J. and Stalker, Raymond J. (2012). Supersonic skin-friction drag with tangential wall slot fuel injection and combustion. AIAA Journal, 50 (2), 313-324. doi: 10.2514/1.J051073

Supersonic skin-friction drag with tangential wall slot fuel injection and combustion

2012

Conference Publication

Design of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet and experimental results at a Mach 10 flight condition

Doherty, Luke J., Smart, Michael K. and Mee, David J. (2012). Design of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet and experimental results at a Mach 10 flight condition. 18th AIAA/3AF International Space Planes and Hypersonics Systems and Technologies Conference, Tours, France, 24 - 28 September 2012. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2012-5910

Design of an airframe integrated 3-D scramjet and experimental results at a Mach 10 flight condition

2012

Conference Publication

Effects of flow disturbances from cross-stream fuel injection on the drag reduction by boundary layer combustion

Wilson Chan, Mee, David J., Smart, Michael K. and Turner, James J. (2012). Effects of flow disturbances from cross-stream fuel injection on the drag reduction by boundary layer combustion. 18th AIAA/3AF International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Tours, France, 24-28 September 2012. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2012-5889

Effects of flow disturbances from cross-stream fuel injection on the drag reduction by boundary layer combustion

2011

Journal Article

Numerical modelling of the self-heating process of a wet porous medium

Ejlali, A., Mee, D.J., Hooman, K. and Beamish, B.B. (2011). Numerical modelling of the self-heating process of a wet porous medium. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 54 (25-26), 5200-5206. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2011.08.025

Numerical modelling of the self-heating process of a wet porous medium

2011

Journal Article

Superhydrophobic surfaces with hierarchical structure

Gao, N., Yan, Y. Y., Chen, X. Y. and Mee, D. J. (2011). Superhydrophobic surfaces with hierarchical structure. Materials Letters, 65 (19-20), 2902-2905. doi: 10.1016/j.matlet.2011.06.088

Superhydrophobic surfaces with hierarchical structure

2011

Journal Article

Thrust nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle

Tanimizu, K, Mee, DJ, Stalker, RJ and Jacobs, PA (2011). Thrust nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 27 (1), 40-49. doi: 10.2514/1.48586

Thrust nozzle design study for a quasi-axisymmetric scramjet-powered vehicle

2011

Conference Publication

Prediction of noise from small to medium sized crowds

Hayne, M. J., Taylor, J. C., Rumble, R. H. and Mee, D. J. (2011). Prediction of noise from small to medium sized crowds. Acoustics 2011: Breaking New Ground, Gold Coast, Australia, 2-4 November 2011. Darlinghurst, Australia: The Australian Acoustical Society.

Prediction of noise from small to medium sized crowds

2011

Conference Publication

Attitude guidance and control for a spinning, asymmetrical rocket payload

Creagh, Michael A. and Mee, David J. (2011). Attitude guidance and control for a spinning, asymmetrical rocket payload. AIAC14 Fourteenth Australian International Aerospace Congress, Melbourne, Australia, 28 February - 3 March 2011. Melbourne, Australia: Australian International Aerospace Congress.

Attitude guidance and control for a spinning, asymmetrical rocket payload

2010

Journal Article

Self ignition of hydrogen-air mixtures with inclined porthole injection in supersonic flows

Kirchhartz, Rainer M., Paull, Allan, Mee, David J. and Olivier, Herbert (2010). Self ignition of hydrogen-air mixtures with inclined porthole injection in supersonic flows. International Journal of Hypersonics, 1 (4), 199-208. doi: 10.1260/1759-3107.1.4.199

Self ignition of hydrogen-air mixtures with inclined porthole injection in supersonic flows

2010

Journal Article

Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control

Creagh, Michael and Mee, David (2010). Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control. Journal of Guidance, Control and Dynamics, 33 (3), 915-922. doi: 10.2514/1.44430

Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control

2010

Journal Article

Supersonic boundary-layer combustion: Effects of upstream entropy and shear-layer thickness

Kirchhartz, R. M., Mee, D. J., Stalker, R. J., Jacobs, P. A. and Smart, M. K. (2010). Supersonic boundary-layer combustion: Effects of upstream entropy and shear-layer thickness. Journal of Propulsion and Power, 26 (1), 57-66. doi: 10.2514/1.44485

Supersonic boundary-layer combustion: Effects of upstream entropy and shear-layer thickness

2010

Conference Publication

Boundary layer combustion for viscous drag reduction in practical scramjet configurations

Chan, W. Y. K., Mee, D. J., Smart, M. K., Turner, J. C. and Stalker, R. J. (2010). Boundary layer combustion for viscous drag reduction in practical scramjet configurations. 27th International Congress of The Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS 2010), Nice, France, 19-24 September 2010. United Kingdom: Optimage.

Boundary layer combustion for viscous drag reduction in practical scramjet configurations

2009

Journal Article

Drag force on quasi-axisymmetric scramjets at various flight Mach numbers: Theory and experiment

Tanimizu, K, Mee, DJ, Stalker, RJ and Jacobs, PA (2009). Drag force on quasi-axisymmetric scramjets at various flight Mach numbers: Theory and experiment. SHOCK WAVES, 19 (2), 83-93. doi: 10.1007/s00193-009-0194-x

Drag force on quasi-axisymmetric scramjets at various flight Mach numbers: Theory and experiment

2009

Journal Article

Boundary-layer separation due to combustion-induced pressure rise in a supersonic flow

Frost, Myles A., Gangurde, Dhananjay Y., Paull, Allan and Mee, David J. (2009). Boundary-layer separation due to combustion-induced pressure rise in a supersonic flow. AIAA Journal, 47 (4), 1050-1053. doi: 10.2514/1.40868

Boundary-layer separation due to combustion-induced pressure rise in a supersonic flow

2009

Conference Publication

Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control

Michael Creagh and Mee, David J. (2009). Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control. 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Orlando , Florida, USA, 5-8 January 2009. Reston, VA, U.S.: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Attitude guidance for spinning vehicles with independent pitch and yaw control

2008

Journal Article

Effect of anti-scale agents on the solubility of CO2 in seawater at temperatures of 60 to 90oC and pressures of 1-2 bar

Al-Anezi, Khalid, Somerfield, Chris, Mee, David, Hankins, Nick and Hilal, Nidal (2008). Effect of anti-scale agents on the solubility of CO2 in seawater at temperatures of 60 to 90oC and pressures of 1-2 bar. Desalination, 227 (1-3), 46-56. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2007.05.034

Effect of anti-scale agents on the solubility of CO2 in seawater at temperatures of 60 to 90oC and pressures of 1-2 bar

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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