Email
olinger@wpi.edu
Office
Higgins Labs 246
Phone
+1 (508) 8315000 x5698
Affiliated Department or Office
Education
BS Lafayette College 1983
MS Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1985
PhD Yale University 1990

In my teaching I bring fluid and aerodynamics experiments, including wind tunnels, into the classroom each day. Fundamental concepts are demonstrated in these experiments, and collected data is immediately compared to the theory and equations learned during lecture. Students see that they can use what they are learning in class to predict the behavior of aerospace systems. They then go on to design improved systems in MQP projects and during their careers.

My research group (including graduate and undergraduate project students) works on emerging renewable energy technologies including airborne energy systems and tethered underwater kites. Here, large tethered kites or gliders (in air or water) are used to extract energy from the wind or ocean currents. We conduct physical experiments and develop computer simulations to better design these systems. Recently we have developed a low-cost, kite-powered water pump for future use in underdeveloped nations.

Email
olinger@wpi.edu
Affiliated Department or Office
Education
BS Lafayette College 1983
MS Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 1985
PhD Yale University 1990

In my teaching I bring fluid and aerodynamics experiments, including wind tunnels, into the classroom each day. Fundamental concepts are demonstrated in these experiments, and collected data is immediately compared to the theory and equations learned during lecture. Students see that they can use what they are learning in class to predict the behavior of aerospace systems. They then go on to design improved systems in MQP projects and during their careers.

My research group (including graduate and undergraduate project students) works on emerging renewable energy technologies including airborne energy systems and tethered underwater kites. Here, large tethered kites or gliders (in air or water) are used to extract energy from the wind or ocean currents. We conduct physical experiments and develop computer simulations to better design these systems. Recently we have developed a low-cost, kite-powered water pump for future use in underdeveloped nations.

Office
Higgins Labs 246
Phone
+1 (508) 8315000 x5698
Professional Highlights & Honors
Summer Faculty Research Fellow, 1993
U.S. Navy - ASEE Summer Faculty Research Program
WPI Teaching Technology Fellowship, 2000
ASME National Curriculum Innovation Award Honorable Mention, 2001