Brian E Gilchrist

Phone:

(734) 763-6230

Fax:

(734) 647-3083

Email:

gilchrst@umich.edu

Web:

http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~gilchrist

Education:

Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
M.S., B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois

Research:

Plasma electrodynamics for space propulsion technology; plasma diagnostics

Specializations and Research Interests

• Plasma electrodynamics with emphasis to space electrodynamic tethered systems, energetic nanoparticles and MEMS based space electric propulsion technologies, and electron and ion beam effects (e.g. cold-cathode field emission cathodes, relativistic beams)
• Plasma diagnostics (e.g. Langmuir Probe, microwave / millimeter wave interferometer, floating potential monitor)
• Spacecraft and energy conversion technologies

Honors, Awards and Accomplishments

• Service Excellence Award, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 2009
• Outstanding Student Group Advisor, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 2003
• Certificate of Special Recognition, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 2002
• Service Excellence Award, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, 2001
• Faculty Excellence Award, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2000
• Excellence in Research Award, Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences, 1997
• Principal Investigator, Shuttle Electrodynamic Tether System (SETS) experiment on NASA's TSS-1R mission investigating tether electrodynamic fundamentals in the Earth's ionosphere and use of space tethers for scientific and technological applications
• Instrument PI, NASA’s ProSEDS mission, Langmuir Probe and Spacecraft Potential (LPSP) and High Voltage Control and Monitor (HVCM) instruments
• Led 100+ student team designing and building U-M's first-ever student satellite, Icarus, part of NASA's ProSEDS mission
• Founding Director, College of Engineering’s Multidisciplinary Design Program
• Co-PI, Nannoparticle Field Extraction Thruster (NanoFET), USAF/DARPA (U.S. Patent 7,516,610)

Professional Service

• Associate Editor, American Geophysical Union
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• American Geophysical Union
• American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics (senior member)
• Sigma Xi, Scientific Research Society