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)

61 - 80 of 158 works

2008

Journal Article

Parameters affecting the solubility of carbon dioxide in seawater at the conditions encountered in MSF desalination plants

Al-Anezi, Khalid, Somerfield, Chris, Mee, David and Hilal, Nidal (2008). Parameters affecting the solubility of carbon dioxide in seawater at the conditions encountered in MSF desalination plants. Desalination, 222 (1-3), 548-571. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2007.01.128

Parameters affecting the solubility of carbon dioxide in seawater at the conditions encountered in MSF desalination plants

2008

Conference Publication

Force measurements and drag reduction

Mee, David J., Stalker, Raymond J., Suraweera, Milinda V., Tanimizu, Katsuyoshi, Kirchhartz, Rainer M., Ridings, Andrew N. and Chan, Wilson Y. K. (2008). Force measurements and drag reduction. Australian Hypersonics Capabilities and Future Directions Workshop 2008, Brisbane, Australia, 14-15 August 2008.

Force measurements and drag reduction

2008

Conference Publication

Skin Friction Drag with Boundary Layer Combustion in a Circular Combustor

Kirchhartz, Rainer M., Mee, David J. and Stalker, Raymond J. (2008). Skin Friction Drag with Boundary Layer Combustion in a Circular Combustor. 15th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Dayton, Ohio, United States, 28 April - 1 May 2008. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2008-2589

Skin Friction Drag with Boundary Layer Combustion in a Circular Combustor

2007

Journal Article

New calibration technique for multiple-component stress wave force balances

Abdel-Jawad, Madhat M., Mee, David J. and Morgan, Richard G. (2007). New calibration technique for multiple-component stress wave force balances. Review of Scientific Instruments, 78 (6) 065101, 065101-1-065101-7. doi: 10.1063/1.2744235

New calibration technique for multiple-component stress wave force balances

2007

Conference Publication

Effect of Boundary Layer Thickness and Entropy Layer on Boundary Layer Combustion

Kirchhartz, R. M., Mee, D. J. and Stalker, R. J. (2007). Effect of Boundary Layer Thickness and Entropy Layer on Boundary Layer Combustion. 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC), Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 3-7 December, 2007. Brisbane, Australia: School of Engineering, The University of Queensland.

Effect of Boundary Layer Thickness and Entropy Layer on Boundary Layer Combustion

2007

Edited Outputs

Proceedings of the 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference

Peter Jacobs, Peter McIntyre, Matthew Cleary, David Buttsworth, David Mee, Rose, Clements, Richard Morgan and Charles Lemckert eds. (2007). Proceedings of the 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference. 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 3-7 December 2007. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.

Proceedings of the 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference

2007

Conference Publication

Numerical Simulation of a Ludwieg-tube Fuel Delivery System for Scramjet Experiments in Shock Tunnels

Gangurde, Dhananjay Y., Mee, David J. and Jacobs, Peter A. (2007). Numerical Simulation of a Ludwieg-tube Fuel Delivery System for Scramjet Experiments in Shock Tunnels. 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC), Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 2-7 December 2007. Brisbane, Australia: School of Engineering, The University of Queensland.

Numerical Simulation of a Ludwieg-tube Fuel Delivery System for Scramjet Experiments in Shock Tunnels

2007

Journal Article

Background oriented schlieren for flow visualisation in hypersonic impulse facilities

Ramanah, D., Raghunath, S., Mee, D. J., Rosgen, T. and Jacobs, P. A. (2007). Background oriented schlieren for flow visualisation in hypersonic impulse facilities. Shock Waves, 17 (1-2), 65-70. doi: 10.1007/s00193-007-0097-7

Background oriented schlieren for flow visualisation in hypersonic impulse facilities

2007

Journal Article

Boundary layers on a flat plate at suband superorbital speeds

Hayne, M.J., Mee, D.J., Gai, S.L. and McIntyre, T.J. (2007). Boundary layers on a flat plate at suband superorbital speeds. Journal of Thermophysics And Heat Transfer, 21 (4), 772-779. doi: 10.2514/1.26894

Boundary layers on a flat plate at suband superorbital speeds

2007

Conference Publication

Supersonic combustion experiments in the T4 Shock Tunnel

Mee, David J. (2007). Supersonic combustion experiments in the T4 Shock Tunnel. First International Conference on High Speed Transatmospheric Air and Space Transportation, Hyderabad, India, 29-30 June 2007. Aeronautical Society of India and the Astronautical Society of India.

Supersonic combustion experiments in the T4 Shock Tunnel

2007

Conference Publication

Comparison of drag measurements of two axisymmetric scramjet models at Mach 6

Tanimizu, K., Mee, D. J. and Stalker, R. J. (2007). Comparison of drag measurements of two axisymmetric scramjet models at Mach 6. 16th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC), Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, 3-7 December, 2007. Brisbane, Australia: School of Engineering, The University of Queensland.

Comparison of drag measurements of two axisymmetric scramjet models at Mach 6

2006

Conference Publication

Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model

Tanimizu, Katsuyoshi, Mee, David J. and Stalker, Raymond J. (2006). Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model. Reston, Virigina: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.. doi: 10.2514/6.2006-8064

Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model

2006

Conference Publication

Scramjet flow visualization using Background Oriented Schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities

Ramanah, Dwishen and Mee, David J. (2006). Scramjet flow visualization using Background Oriented Schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities. Reston, Virigina: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc.. doi: 10.2514/6.2006-8004

Scramjet flow visualization using Background Oriented Schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities

2006

Conference Publication

Prediction of crowd noise

Hayne, M. J., Rumble, R. H. and Mee, D. J. (2006). Prediction of crowd noise. 1st Australasian Acoustical Societies' Conference 2006: Noise of Progress, ACOUSTICS 2006, , , November 20, 2006-November 22, 2006.

Prediction of crowd noise

2006

Conference Publication

Scramjet flow visualization using background oriented schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities

Ramanah, D and Mee, D J (2006). Scramjet flow visualization using background oriented schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities. 14th AIAA/AHI Space Plans and Hypersonic and Technologies Conference, Canberra, Australia, 6-9 November 2006. USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Scramjet flow visualization using background oriented schlieren in hypersonic impulse facilities

2006

Journal Article

Reynolds analogy in high-enthalpy and high-Mach-number turbulent flows

Suraweera, M. V., Mee, D. J. and Stalker, R. J. (2006). Reynolds analogy in high-enthalpy and high-Mach-number turbulent flows. Aiaa Journal, 44 (4), 917-919. doi: 10.2514/1.18939

Reynolds analogy in high-enthalpy and high-Mach-number turbulent flows

2006

Journal Article

Scramjet lift, thrust and pitching-moment characteristics measured in a shock tunnel

Robinson, M. J., Mee, D. J. and Paull, A. (2006). Scramjet lift, thrust and pitching-moment characteristics measured in a shock tunnel. Journal Of Propulsion And Power, 22 (1), 85-95. doi: 10.2514/1.15978

Scramjet lift, thrust and pitching-moment characteristics measured in a shock tunnel

2006

Conference Publication

Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model

Tanimizu, K, Mee, D J and Stalker, R J (2006). Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model. 14th AIAA/AHI Space Plans and Hypersonic and Technologies Conference, Canberra, Australia, 6-9 November 2006. USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Measurement and prediction of the force of an unfuelled axisymmetric scramjet model

2005

Conference Publication

Influence of music genre and composition on entertainment noise limits

Hayne, Michael, Mee, David and Rumble, Ron (2005). Influence of music genre and composition on entertainment noise limits. Annual Conference of the Australian Acoustical Society 2005: Acoustics in a Changing Environment, Acoustics 2005, , , November 9, 2005-November 11, 2005.

Influence of music genre and composition on entertainment noise limits

2005

Journal Article

Scramjets and Shock Tunnels: The Queensland Experience

Stalker, R. J., Paull, A., Mee, D. J., Morgan, R. G. and Jacobs, P. A. (2005). Scramjets and Shock Tunnels: The Queensland Experience. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 41 (6), 471-513. doi: 10.1016/j.paerosci.2005.08.002

Scramjets and Shock Tunnels: The Queensland Experience

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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