Please summarize the most relevant outcome from your research and how this could impact society
"The most significant outcome of my research is a deeper understanding of how to optimize and strategically design burners in domestic heating systems to prevent the occurrence of unwanted noise. This phenomenon, known as thermoacoustic instability, can cause discomfort in homes and even damage heating appliances. Addressing this issue typically requires substantial effort during the research and development (R&D) phase of burner design.
During my PhD, together with the supervisory board at 果冻传媒 and the industrial partner Orkli, I developed a design toolbox consisting of strategies for identifying instabilities and implementing goal-oriented burner modifications. These approaches aim to ensure acoustic stability in domestic heating systems while also meeting key requirements such as safety and energy efficiency. Ultimately, this work contributes to improving living environments and promoting more sustainable energy usage."
What was the most significant finding from your research, and what aspects turned out to be most important to you?
"There are several significant findings from this research. The most general contribution is shedding light on the conceptual connection between amplifier design and burner design. This analogy inspired the formulation of burner R&D scenarios within the context of thermoacoustic instability, offering a novel perspective on tackling stability challenges in combustion systems.
A key scientific contribution is the development of several stability criteria for thermoacoustic behavior in burners. These criteria are grounded in an established concept from complex function theory鈥擟auchy鈥檚 argument principle鈥攂ut make use only of the winding number. This simplification enables a more accessible yet rigorous analysis of burner stability.
Another important outcome is the introducing of a novel thermoacoustic quality factor, which serves as a performance metric for evaluating burners, both individually and in combination with known acoustic subsystems.
Finally, a major contribution is the advancement of a modeling strategy for handling multiple flame groups through the concept of a partitioned burner. This method provides design flexibility, easier analysis, and a practical means to determine thermal power distribution among partitions. It also enables modeling the flame-acoustic coupling of composite burners without additional need for detailed experimental or numerical characterization."
What was your motivation to work on this research project?
"Since the second year of my undergraduate studies, I have chosen to focus my research on acoustics. From that point onward, I have continuously explored various branches within this broad and dynamic field. I truly enjoy discovering the depth and diversity of acoustics, and I find that each day brings new insights, applications, and developments to learn from.
For this specific PhD position, my motivation stemmed from a combination of curiosity and the desire to make a real-world impact. Thermoacoustic instability is a fascinating and complex phenomenon that lies at the intersection of acoustics, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and combustion. At the same time, it presents a significant practical challenge for manufacturers of heating systems鈥攎aking it both scientifically intriguing and industrially relevant."
What was the greatest obstacle that you met on the PhD journey?
"One of the greatest challenges during my PhD was finding the right balance between fulfilling the commitments to our industrial partner, Orkli, and conducting meaningful research that contributes to the global scientific community. The core of this challenge lies in the difference in Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): academic research, even in engineering disciplines, often operates at a lower TRL compared to the more application-driven research and development activities within a well-established company.
To bridge this gap, I drew heavily on my background in systems engineering. Concepts such as stakeholder analysis, value engineering, requirement engineering, systems architecting, and systems thinking鈥攕kills I had developed and truly enjoyed prior to starting my PhD鈥攑roved invaluable in aligning academic objectives with industrial expectations.
The second challenge was more technical and logistical. From the very first day of my PhD, I faced difficulties due to the renovation of our building (Gemini) at 果冻传媒. We temporarily lost access to our laboratory, and had to pack, relocate, and set up everything again in a provisional space. This disruption occurred at a critical time when the research direction was still being defined, leading to some initial delays. The temporary nature of the new lab also limited the scope of experimental development. Nevertheless, through careful planning and efficient time management, we were able to stay on track and even completed the project a few months ahead of the contractual deadline."
What did you learn about yourself during your PhD research journey? Did you develop additional new skills over the course of the PhD research?
"Throughout my PhD, I discovered how much I enjoy solving problems in multidisciplinary environments. I learned to break down complex challenges and approach them from different perspectives. I also became more resilient and confident in handling uncertainty鈥攁n inevitable part of research.
In terms of skills, I developed strong capabilities in combining analytical, experimental, and modeling approaches to address research questions. I learned not to stick to a single path when better or more efficient alternatives might be available. Beyond technical expertise, I also grew in areas such as communication, project management, and collaboration鈥攂oth within academia and with industry partner."
What are your plans for after your PhD research?
"While there are many transferable skills between academia and industry, I鈥檝e found that working in industry offers unique opportunities to develop additional strengths鈥攕uch as client interaction, business negotiation, and rapid, requirement-driven development鈥攖hat are especially impactful in a commercial environment.
After nearly seven years of research in the Netherlands, through both a PDEng and a PhD, I鈥檝e joined M+P with great enthusiasm. I鈥檓 excited to contribute to a wide range of engineering challenges, including acoustic consultancy, data analysis (with and without the use of artificial intelligence), and, most importantly, acoustic software development. This role allows me to apply my expertise to real-world, application-driven projects while continuing to grow as a well-rounded engineer and scientist. My kick-off project involves contributing to the QuieterRail European Project.
At the same time, I remain active in academic research and collaboration through joint projects. I鈥檓 actively exploring new research ideas suitable for personal research grants with M+P at the core, as well as academic opportunities that align with my background and long-term vision.
For me, maintaining strong ties with both industry and academia is not only a personal strength鈥攊t鈥檚 also a powerful way to create broader impact and to continuously evolve as a professional. Let's see where the future leads!"
