Timothy Charles Lieuwen
Tim Lieuwen is the executive vice president for Research at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In this role, he oversees the Institute’s $1.4+ billion portfolio of research, economic development, and sponsored activities. This includes leadership of the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI), the Enterprise Innovation Institute, 11 interdisciplinary research institutes (IRIs), and related research administrative support units.
In his 25-plus years at Georgia Tech, Liuewen earned his master’s and Ph.D. degrees in mechanical engineering (1996 and 1999, respectively) and has held multiple leadership positions. He was the executive director of the Strategic Energy Institute (SEI) and served as the interim chair of the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering in 2023.
Lieuwen has received numerous honors and recognition for his work in clean energy systems and policy, national security, and regional economic development. Additionally, he has been awarded the titles of Regents’ Professor and the David S. Lewis, Jr. Chair in AE. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering and is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Professor Lieuwen's teaching focuses on core mechanical and aerospace engineering principles, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, combustion, and acoustics. His instruction spans undergraduate and graduate courses that prepare students to address challenges in energy conversion and propulsion systems. Emphasis is placed on fundamental theory alongside practical problem-solving skills to support the development of clean energy technologies and alternative fuel utilization.
Professor Lieuwen's research centers on clean energy and propulsion systems, with an emphasis on combustion, acoustics, and fluid mechanics. His work addresses fundamental issues related to the development of clean combustion systems and the use of alternative fuels. Collaboration with industry and government agencies supports investigations into energy policy and technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Lab/Collaborations:
- Ben T. Zinn Combustion Laboratory
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)
Disciplines:
- Propulsion & Combustion
AE Multidisciplinary Research Areas:
- Sustainable Transportation and Energy Systems
Other Lab
- Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute (GTMI)
- B.S., Engineering, 1995, Calvin College (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1997, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, 1999, Georgia Institute of Technology
- S Ha, T Lieuwen, Direct combustion noise: Pressure–heat release coherence of an open turbulent flame, Combustion and Flame 284, 114653, 2026
- HP Rajagopalan, B Emerson, V Acharya, D Noble, T Lieuwen, Measurements of CO and NOx Emissions From Premixed Turbulent Methane/Hydrogen Flames, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 148 (4), 041004, 2026
- CD Avila Jimenez, R Cole, D Noble, R Steele, D Wu, B Emerson, ..., Towards The Development of an NH3-RRQL System Part 2: Effects of The Primary Combustion Zone Length and Secondary Stage Number of Holes on Stability and Emissions, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 1-25, 2026
- R Cole, CD Avila Jimenez, DR Noble, R Steele, D Wu, B Emerson, ..., Toward the Development of an RRQL System—Part I: Swirl Pattern Effect on Exhaust Emissions and Chemiluminescence Distribution for NH3–Air Premixed Swirl …, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 148 (7), 071001, 2026
- SJ Patel, DR Noble, B Emerson, T Lieuwen, Back to the Future: Revisiting Nonpremixed Designs for Fuel Flexible (H2/NH3/CH4), Low NOx Combustion, Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power 147 (11), 111008, 2025