Aamir Farooq

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

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Research Interests

​Dr. Farooq's research interests are in the areas of energy sciences, combustion chemistry, spectroscopy and laser-based sensors. He is the principal investigator of Chemical Kinetics and Laser Sensors Laboratory and is affiliated with the Clean Combustion Research Center. Professor Farooq's group focuses on the development and use of advanced experimental techniques to understand fundamental processes in traditional and renewable energy-conversion devices. The laboratory carries out experimental research on chemical kinetics using shock tubes and rapid compression machine. These idealized reactors enable the study of reaction kinetics, fuel chemistry, ignition properties, and emissions under conditions suitable for future high-efficiency, low-emission engines and gas turbines.

Selected Publications

  • Catalytic performance of Pd catalyst supported on Zr:Ce modified mesoporous silica for methane oxidation. Khan, H. A., Hao, J. Y. & Farooq, A. Chemical Engineering Journal, 397, 8 (2020).
  • Simultaneous lateral and endwall high-speed visualization of ignition in a circular shock tube. Figueroa-Labastida, M. & Farooq, A. Combustion and Flame, 214, 263-265 (2020).
  • A chemical kinetic modeling study of indene pyrolysis. Jin, H. F. et al. Combustion and Flame, 206, 1-20 (2019).
  • An experimental study of indene pyrolysis with synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry. Jin, H. F. et al. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 21, 5510-5520 (2019).
  • Ignition delay measurements of a low-octane gasoline blend, designed for gasoline compression ignition (GCI) engines. AlAbbad, M., Badra, J., Djebbi, K. & Farooq, A. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, 37, 171-178 (2019).
  • Shock tube studies of ethanol preignition. Figueroa-Labastida, M., Badra, J., Elbaz, A. M. & Farooq, A. Combustion and Flame, 198, 176-185 (2018)
  • Time-resolved temperature measurements in a rapid compression machine using quantum cascade laser absorption in the intrapulse mode. Nasir, E. F. & Farooq, A. Proceedings of the Combustion Institute 36, 4453-4460 (2017).

Education

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA, 2010
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Palo Alto, USA, 2006
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, Pakistan, 2002

Professional Profile

  • 2016-Present: Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 2010-2016: Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
  • 2010: Research Assistant, Stanford University, California

KAUST Affiliations

  • Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC)
  • Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering (PSE)
  • Mechanical Engineering Program