Top Left to Bottom Right: Rustin Jensen, Justin Hollis, Ethan Markey, Ben Platt, Maddy Siegel, Taylor Stoll, Victor Reyes-Flores, Katie Plese, London Kubicek, Dr. Todd Bandhauer, Brandi Grauberger, Nicole Cassada, David Hobby, Zach Gilvey, Caleb Anderson, Shane Garland, Derek Young, Alex Grauberger (Old Group Photos)
Principal Investigator
Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Education:
Ph.D. 2011, Georgia Institute of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
M.S. 2002, Iowa State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 1999, Iowa State University - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Dr. Todd Bandhauer has been an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at CSU since August 2013. He received a B.S. and M.S. from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. from the Georgia Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering. His expertise and interests include thermal energy systems, coupled electrochemical thermal phenomena in energy storage and conversion systems, microscale phase change heat transfer, high flux thermal management of electronics and lasers, thermal activated cooling systems, waste heat recovery, and nuclear fuel processing systems. He has ~6 years of experience in industry (Modine Manufacturing Co.) and at a national laboratory (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory) developing components for energy systems, and his work has resulted in 8 refereed conference and journal papers and 21 issued and pending patents. He is the Director of the REACH CoLab housed at the EECL, which currently includes 12 graduate and undergraduate students.
At present, there are no post docs in our lab.
garland@rams.colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
M.S. 2018, Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2015, Bradley University – Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Shane Garland joined the REACH CoLab in August 2015. His thesis research involved power plant cooling via an ultra-efficient exhaust gas waste heat recovery system. His interests include advanced power plant technology, alternative/renewable energy systems, and heat transfer. After successfully defending his thesis, Shane is continuing to work in the REACH CoLab as a Research Associate to develop a high efficiency (>70%) natural gas generator set.
Projects:
Ultra-Efficient Turbo-Compression Cooling
Hybrid Fuel Cell-IC Engine Generator Set
dnyoung@rams.colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
M.S. 2018, Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2015, Bridgewater College - Physics
Biography:
Derek Young joined the REACH CoLab in August 2015. His thesis research focused on technoeconomic optimization of a turbo-compression cooling system driven by engine coolant waste heat to produce useful shipboard cooling. His interests include heat transfer and energy systems. After successfully defending his thesis, Derek continued to work in the REACH CoLab as a Research Associate on a turbo-compression cooling system driven by ultra-low temperature waste heat for use in the U.S. manufacturing sector.
jhuyett@colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
M.E. 2014, Stevens Institute of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
B.E. 2014, Stevens Institute of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Joe Huyett joined the REACH CoLab in October 2021. He has seven years of industry experience (ExxonMobil), with roles focused on heat exchangers, fixed equipment, reliability, and maintenance. His interests include heat transfer, sustainable energy systems, and carbon reduction strategies. Joe is working in the REACH CoLab as a Research Associate to develop a thermal energy storage system with integrated flexible carbon capture for natural gas power generation.
brandi.grauberger@colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
Ph.D. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2020, Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Brandi has been a part of REACH CoLab since January 2019 when she joined as an undergraduate research assistant. In her time with the lab she has developed models for highly saline wastewater management methods (i.e., treatment, reuse, discharge, and disposal). Her interests include heat transfer, resource management, economics, sustainability, desalination, interdisciplinary problems, and engineering education.
Projects:
High-Salinity Wastewater Treatment
ben.platt@colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
Ph.D. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2020, Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering and Sustainability
Biography:
Ben has been involved with REACH CoLab since 2019. He supported the development of a turbo-compression cooling test facility as an undergraduate student and has continued to work on the technology as a graduate assistant. His current research is focused on further development and characterization of turbo-compression cooling technology and its integration into sustainable, resilient energy systems.
Projects:
Turbo-Compression Cooling
ncassada@rams.colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
Ph.D. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2021, University of North Carolina at Charlotte - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Nicole Cassada joined REACH CoLab in June of 2021. Her current research is focused on thermal management of high heat flux laser diodes. Her interests include heat transfer, combustion, and fluid dynamics.
tstoll@colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
Ph.D. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2022, Oklahoma State University - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Taylor Stoll initially joined REACH CoLab in the summer of 2021 in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program at CSU. For the duration of the program, she primarily focused on generating detailed heat exchanger models for thermal energy systems. Taylor has since returned to the lab as a graduate student, with her current research focused on the further development of a turbo-compression cooling test facility and its integration with a hydrogen engine to produce combined heating, cooling, and power for a district energy system.
Projects:
Turbo-Compression Cooling
caprauna@colostate.edu | LinkedIn
Education:
Ph.D. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2023, Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Frederic Schmid began working at REACH CoLab as an undergraduate student in 2022 and is currently working on research for further development of the turbo-compression cooling system. His interests include heat transfer and fluid mechanics.
Projects:
Turbo-Compression Cooling
victor.reyes-flores@colostate.edu
Education:
M.S. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2022, University of Puerto Rico - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Victor first joined the REACH CoLab in the summer of 2021 as part of the Undergraduate Research Experience at CSU. He decided to rejoin us to pursue his master’s degree in the fall of 2022. Victor’s research is focused on supporting the development of a hybrid fuel cell-IC engine as part of the ARPA-E INTEGRATE program.
Projects: Hybrid Fuel Cell-IC Engine Generator Set
Education:
M.S. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2024, Regis University - Computational Physics
Biography:
Hugo Mettes joined the REACH CoLab in May of 2024 transitioning from a undergraduate degree in physics to the graduate program in mechanical engineering. He is working on the INTEGRATE project and his work is research focused on air delivery, energy recovery and optimizing waste heat utilization. Related interests include: engine air delivery, turbomachinery, and heavy duty engine applications.
Projects: Hybrid Fuel Cell-IC Engine Generator Set
Education:
M.S. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.E. 2024, University of Applied Sciences RheinMain - Interdisciplinary Engineering
Biography:
Sofia joined the REACH CoLab in August 2024. Her current research is focused on sizing components for the new INTEGRATE Program, as as well as analyzing the technical and economic viability of a new configuration of the Hybrid Fuel Cell-IC Engine Generator set for CHP applications.
Projects: Hybrid Fuel Cell-IC Engine Generator Set
Education:
M.S. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
B.S. 2024, University of Rochester - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Dalton Moore joined the Reach CoLab as a graduate student in August 2024 after participating in the undergraduate summer research program in 2023. He is currently working on the TEA for the AtmosZero heat pump technology.
Projects: Decarbonizing Industry.
Education:
B.S. (IP), Colorado State University - Mechanical Engineering
Biography:
Cyrus Johnston joined the REACH CoLab in the summer of 2022 as an undergraduate research assistant. He is currently assisting with the deconstruction of the TCCS (Turbo-Compression Cooling System) and the design and construction of the new industrial decarbonization technology.
Projects:
Decarbonizing Industry