https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5968-3315
Overview
Christopher Douglas' research and teaching in MEMS concentrate on thermo-fluid mechanics and nonlinear dynamics. He develops theoretical and numerical methods to analyze, understand, and engineer the behavior of high-dimensional nonlinear systems where fluid motion couples with thermal, chemical, acoustic, elastic, and other physical effects. These complex problems arise in engineering applications like turbines, rockets, and other propulsion and energy systems; in natural phenomena ranging from weather systems to supernovae; and in medical procedures such as laser lithotripsy. His broader research interests include energy conversion and pollutant emissions abatement, with particular attention to alternative energy carriers like hydrogen and ammonia.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Assistant Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
·
2025 - Present
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Scholarly Works
Modal, non-modal and sensitivity analysis of planar deflagrations with low molecular diffusivity and branching kinetics
Journal article Applied Mathematical Modelling · January 1, 2027 The dynamics of a planar premixed flame is analyzed using the Zel’dovich-Liñán-Dold two-step chemical–kinetic mechanism. The chemistry model involves an initial autocatalytic reaction with large activation energy converts the premixed fuel into intermediat ... Full text Citeff-bifbox: A scalable, open-source toolbox for bifurcation analysis of nonlinear PDEs
Journal article Computer Physics Communications · September 1, 2026 Nonlinear PDEs give rise to complex dynamics that are often difficult to analyze in state space due to their relatively large numbers of degrees of freedom, ill-conditioned operators, and changing spatial and parameter resolution requirements. This work in ... Full text CiteTechno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of methanol synthesis plants using renewable hydrogen and carbon dioxide feedstocks
Journal article Energy Conversion and Management · January 1, 2026 This paper presents a cradle-to-gate techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) of synthetic methanol production leveraging low-carbon electrolytic hydrogen and renewable CO2 captured from biomass- or biogas-powered bioenergy ... Full text Open Access CiteEducation
Georgia Institute of Technology ·
2021
Ph.D.
Bradley University ·
2014
B.S.