Research &

Fundraising

Never let anyone quench your thirst for knowledge, or dampen your passion to change the world.

“First it is disbelief and encouragement, next it is envy, and finally it is resentment…”

Research Focus

  • Computational Heat and Mass transfer

  • Fuel Cell Systems Integration Engineering and Product Development

  • Fuel Cell Systems Hardware Controls and Software Development

  • Computational Fluid Dynamics and MPD Thruster Development

  • Catalytic Fuel Reforming, Modeling, and Systems Design

  • High Temperature PEM Fuel Cell Stack Design and Systems Development

  • Finite Elements, Engineering Mechanics and Computational Fluid Dynamics

  • Hybrid Electric Fuel Cell, Renewable Energy, and Battery Vehicle Systems Development

Education

1986 Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University

• Minor - Artificial Intelligence

1981 M.S. in Engineering Mechanics, Michigan State University

1979 B.S. In Mechanical Engineering, General Motors Institute

Applied Research

& Funding Awards

2022 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition

July 11-13, 2022

Dr. Berry will present at the 2022 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Philadelphia, PA.

Read his research here:

2021 Rodes Research Professorship

As humans seek to explore our universe, man is limited by the inability of traditional chemical propulsion transport systems to exceed exhaust velocities higher than 4,500 m/s. The exothermic chemical propulsion exhaust velocity is governed by the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics limiting the maximum energy from chemical reactions combined with combustion chamber material temperature limitations and wall convective heat transfer rates. These limitations don’t govern the use of electric propulsion technology.

The “aim” is the development of a computational framework for the 3D research and design of MPD thrusters for space applications. In 3D, discretization of the 3D FLUID PLASMA/SOLID geometry to produce a finite element model is exceptionally challenging. Combined with defining 3D gradient-based boundary conditions and non-linear material properties have limited many research programs, especially when it is necessary to analyze several hundred geometric perturbations for design optimization. The goal is to provide a computational tool for MPD research scientist allowing the specifications of a few input geometric parameters, scale factors, and operating conditions via a text file. The MPD framework will automatically generate the 3D FE model, apply correct gradient-based boundary conditions, use the required material property data, and provide the detail computational analysis and results, stored within a MPD computational database.

 It is envisioned that Kettering University will be a global computational resource for graduate students and scientist for 3D research and design of MPD thrusters, by simply providing a text file via email. Additionally, Kettering will provide a database for specific MPD computational research and designs.

2018

Received Kettering University 2nd DOE Research appropriation award ($1.25 Million) for 21st Century Fuels, Energy, and Materials.

2006

Received Kettering University's first DOE research appropriation award ($500,000) for fuel cell membrane development.

Fundraising

New Kettering University Infrastructure Contributions

  • Key team member for the overall design and construction of the $35 million Mott Science and Engineering building.

  • Lead team member for the overall design and construction oversight for Center for Fuel Cell Systems Integration.

Funds Raised for New Buildings at Kettering University

  • Conceived vision and raised $3 million for Kettering University Research Center of Fuel Cell Systems Integration.

  • Conceived vision and raised $2.7 million for Engineering and Science Incubator building.