Department of Mechanical Engineering

Michael W. Ellis


Michael W. Ellis


Associate Professor

Mechanical Engineering
100C1 Randolph Hall
(540) 231-9102
(540) 231-9100 FAX

mwellis@vt.edu


Education Research
Teaching
Experience
Honors
Publications


Education

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology 1996
M.S. Mechanical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology 1993
B.S. Mechanical Engineering University of Tennessee 1985

 

Research

  • Applications of Fuel Cell Systems for Building Cogeneration

  • Solid Sorption Heat Pump Modeling

  • Modeling and Analysis of Building Energy Consumption

  • Analysis of Energy Uses in Industrial Processes

  • Fuel Cell Performance Modeling

  • Optimal Design of Hybrid Gas/Electric Chilled Water Systems


BACK TO TOP

 

Teaching Activities

ME 2124 Introduction to Thermal and Fluid Engineering

Basics of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Fluid and thermal properties of materials. Ideal gas equation of state. First law of thermodynamics in closed systems. Transient heat transfer. First law of thermodynamics in open systems. Fluid mechanics balances, open systems. Emphasis on applications in all topic areas. Pre: ESM 2104, Co: MATH 2214. (2H, 2C). II, III.

ME 3124 Thermodynamics

Classical thermodynamics and its applications. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances: property tables, property software, equations of state. First law of thermodynamics. Second law of thermodynamics. Gas mixtures. Combustion: atom and energy balances. Power and refrigeration cycles. Pre: 2124. (3H, 3C) I, II.


ME 5984 Fuel Cell Systems

This course introduces students to fuel cell technology and energy systems based on fuel cells. Students should be able to understand and use the physical and chemical principles underlying fuel cells, design the components comprising a fuel cell system, and evaluate the performance of a complete fuel cell energy conversion system.

BACK TO TOP

 

Experience

Associate Professor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA		 2004 - Present
Assistant Professor Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA		 1998 - 2004
Visiting Assistant Professor

 Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Dept. of Building Construction
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA		 1996 – 1998
Research Engineer

National Institute of Standard and Technology
Building Environment Division
Gaithersburg, MD 		Summer 1997
Graduate Research Assistant Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA 		1991 - 1996
Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager Allen & Hoshall, Inc.
Building Systems Dept.
Knoxville, TN 		1985 - 1991

BACK TO TOP

 

Honors

No honors listed.

BACK TO TOP

 

Publications

Journal Papers

  • I.R. Doebber and M.W. Ellis, (2005) “Thermal Performance Benefits of Precast Concrete Panel and Integrated Concrete Form Technologies for Residential Construction,” ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 111, pt. 2, p. 340-352.


BACK TO TOP