Dr. Carl Knowlen

Associate Professor

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Biography

Carl Knowlen received bachelor's and master's degrees in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington in 1983 and 1985, respectively. He completed his Ph.D. program in 1991 and accepted a Postdoctoral Research Associate position at the University of Washington Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, where he expanded his research to include shockwave chemical reactors. In 1996, he was invited to spend months in Japan by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, collaborating with faculty from Tohoku University and Hiroshima University on related technologies. Upon returning to the University of Washington, Dr. Knowlen transitioned to the professional staff ranks as a Research Scientist and later as Senior Research Scientist in 2003. He has been teaching courses in the AA Department regularly since 2002 and was appointed to his current position as Research Associate Professor in 2015. His research focuses on energy conversion, combustion physics, and hypervelocity propulsion. Dr. Knowlen investigates phenomena associated with high-speed objects passing through combustible mixtures, combining modeling of reactive systems with experimental observations to guide his research efforts. His current programs include ram accelerator and hypervelocity mass driver research, shockwave reactor hydrocarbon upgrading, continuous rotating detonation engine control techniques, and developing green propellant technologies for microthrusters and cryogenic energy storage systems.

Research Interests

Requirements for University of Washington

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:80
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:105
Overall
Required:105
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Resume/CV
  • English proficiency scores (for international students)
Specialization Notes

Standard Graduate School requirements for University of Washington apply to most departments listed unless specified otherwise by the program.