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HOME/People/Faculty/Affiliated Faculty/John Foster

John Foster

Professor John Foster photo

Professor Aerospace Engineering Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences

Aerospace Engineering

2915 Cooley Ann Arbor, MI 48109

jefoster@umich.edu

(734) 764-1976

website

Related Links
  • Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE)
Education Research Interests Awards

Education:

University of Michigan
PhD Applied Physics ’96

Jackson State University
BS Physics ’91

Research Interests: ^top

Low-temperature plasmas, plasma physics issues regarding advanced space propulsion, plasma diagnostics, processing plasmas, space and atmospheric plasma phenomena, and modeling of plasma phenomena; environmental plasma processing

Plasma science is a highly interdisciplinary field whose primary subject matter is ionized gas. My research focus is on understanding and applying plasma science to real world problems. I am particularly fascinated with space propulsion and as such particular emphasis is focused on space related plasma projects. Beyond space propulsion, I am also deeply interested in improving our environment through use of plasma-based remediation technologies. The Laboratory will pay particular attention to those applications that protect the environment and improve the quality of life in developing countries. In addition to these focus areas, the lab will also pursue research opportunities in processing plasma applications, energy conversion and energy production.

Recent Activities

Water Purification using Plasma

Awards: ^top

  • NASA Special Achievement and Performance Awards (1999-2006)
  • NTA Physicist of the Year (2003)
  • NASA LERCIP Mentor of the Year (2004)
  • Black Engineer of the Year Special Recognition Award (2005)
  • Emerald Awards Most Promising Engineer Award (2005)
  • Nuclear Engineering Faculty Teaching Award (2008)
  • NASA Faculty Fellow Award (2010, 2011, 2012-2013 ,2014)
  • UM NERS Outstanding Achievement Award (2014)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2006-present: Associate Professor, Nuclear Engineering & Radiological Sciences; Materials Science & Engineering
  • 1998-2006: Senior Research Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center
  • 1997-1998: Post-doctoral fellow, NSF Engineering Research Center for Plasma-Aided
  • Manufacturing, University of Wisconsin-Madison

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

  • Member of American Physical Society
  • Member of IEEE
  • Member of NSBP
  • Senior Member AIAA
  • Member of the Electric Propulsion Technical Working Committee
  • Member of IEEE PSAC Technical Working Committee (term ended 2013)
  • Member of NRC Plasma Committee
  • Member of DOE FESAC
  • NSF proposal reviewer; DOE Fellowship reviewer; DOE Proposal Reviewer
  • Journal Reviewer (Physics of Plasma, TPS, Applied Phys D, Surface Coat, AIAA, Plasma Sources Science and Tech., RSI, Nuclear Instruments Methods)
  • Session Organizer (AIAA , IEEE)
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Research Area
  • Autonomous Systems and Control
  • Dynamics and Controls
  • Gas Dynamics
  • Space Systems
  • Structures and Materials
Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

François-Xavier Bagnoud
Aerospace Building

1320 Beal Avenue

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140

Voice: (734) 764-3310

Fax: (734) 763-0578

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