Ryan J. Klock, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Klock specializes in the analysis of coupled-physics problems involving fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and structural dynamics. In addition, he is an expert in system model reduction which identifies the underlying behaviors of complex, noisy systems in order to perform timely simulations at greatly reduced computational cost. System behaviors can either be observed from physical experimentation or high-fidelity numerical simulation such as finite element analysis (FEA) and/or computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Dr. Klock employed both experimentation and simulation during his prior work with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Munitions Directorate on the development and analysis of rocket and scramjet-based hypersonic flight vehicles.
Dr. Klock is an alumni of the University of Michigan Aerospace Department and worked closely with NASA and AFRL on the development of hypersonic flight vehicles for:
- Rapid and reusable access to space
- Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
- High value target strike
Dr. Klock is experienced in the design of structures for hot environments, high temperature materials for heat shielding, and the flexible behavior of structures under high pressure and thermal loads. Beyond his hypersonic work, Dr. Klock assisted in the design of sails for a unique concept of renewable power generation that relies on existing power lines for structural support, and is a named inventor on an associated patent. In addition, Dr. Klock is a named inventor on a patent for piezoelectric ultrasonic surgical dissectors, having proposed and experimentally validated the use of macro-fiber composites for driving and sensing dissector resonance.
Dr. Klock’s past experience also includes serving as a scientific advisor to inventors seeking to patent novel technologies or methods, assisting with the development of an autonomous fault management system for the Solar Probe Plus Spacecraft, and developing a personal navigation router to minimize travel cost, time, and carbon emissions using multiple modes of transportation.
CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2017
- M.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2014
- B.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2012
DARPA Rising Leader in Science and Technology, 2015
Rackham Merit Fellow, 2013
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Professional Engineer, Mechanical, California, #39672
Publications
Klock R, Cesnik CES. Nonlinear thermal reduced-order modeling for hypersonic vehicles. AIAA Journal 2017; 55(7):2358-2368.
Conference Proceedings and Presentations
Klock R, Cesnik CE. Rapid simulation of a hypersonic vehicle through singular value decomposition. 58th AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, AIAA SciTech Forum, (AIAA 2017-0178).
Klock R, Cesnik CE. Aeroelastic stability of high-speed cylindrical vehicles. 58th aiaa/asce/ahs/asc structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference, aiaa scitech Forum, (AIAA 2017-0406).
Dreyer E, Klock R, Grier B, McNamara JJ, Cesnik CE. Multi-discipline modeling of complete hypersonic vehicles using CFD surrogates. 58th AIAA/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, AIAA SciTech Forum, (AIAA 2017-0182).
Klock R, Cesnik CE. Nonlinear thermal and thermoelastic reduced order models of a hypersonic vehicle. 15th Dynamics Specialists Conference, AIAA SciTech Forum, (AIAA 2016-1322).
Klock R, Cesnik CE. Aerothermoelastic reduced-order model of a hypersonic vehicle. AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, (AIAA 2015-2711).
Klock R, Cesnik CE. Aerothermoelastic simulation of air-breathing hypersonic vehicles. 55th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, AIAA SciTech Forum, (AIAA 2014-0149).
Patents
US Patent 9,486,235: Surgical Device Employing a Cantilevered Beam Dissector, March 2015 (with Harrington RH, Krapf CW, Rontal M).
US Patent 9,581,135: Cable-suspended Wind Energy Generator, November 2013 (with Harrington RH).
Prior Experience
Research Contractor, Air Force Research Laboratory Munitions Directorate, 2015-2017
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Michigan, 2012-2017
Scientific Advisor, Harrington Electronic LLC, 2011-2016
Solar Probe Plus Spacecraft Autonomous Fault Management Intern, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 2012
Research Assistant, NASA Glenn Aeronautics Academy, 2011
Professional Affiliations
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (member since 2014)
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society (member since 2010)
Additional Information
Peer Reviewer
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Journal
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets
CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2017
- M.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2014
- B.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2012
DARPA Rising Leader in Science and Technology, 2015
Rackham Merit Fellow, 2013
LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Professional Engineer, Mechanical, California, #39672