Francis A. DiBella, M.Eng, PE

Director of Engineering Technology     MET Coordinator Office: 473 Snell Engineering Center Phone: 617.373.5240 Fax: 617.373.2501 E-mail: f.dibella@neu.edu

Education (For full resume, click here)

• PE, Massachusetts
• M.Eng (1975) Mechanical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
• BS (1974) Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Teaching Area

• General Engineering Technology
• Capstone Prep
• Capstone Design
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Dynamics
• Stress Analysis
• Mechanical Design
• Measurement and Analysis
• Mechanical Vibrations
• Heat Transfer
• Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
• Fluid Mechanics

Academic Awards

• University Wide Excellence in Teaching Award in 2002
• College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award in 2004
• The Lowell Institute School at Northeastern University Teaching Award in 2000, 2002 and 2005

Professional Activities

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Power Subcontractor
  • National Chairman Church Award Nomination Committee
• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • Member
• American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Member
• Northeastern University Mechanical Contractor's Association of America (NUMCAA)
  • Faculty Advisor
• Mini-Baja
  • Faculty Advisor
• FIRST Robotics Team
  • Faculty Advisor

Research and Educational Interests

Professional engineering research interests involve the practical, engineering applications of Thermo-fluid and Machine Design sciences within the Mechanical Engineering discipline.

My specific areas of interest include all aspects of energy systems including generation, storage, conservation and a variety of innovative applications of wind, solar and hydropower. Such systems and their application include gas and steam engines (reciprocating, gas and steam turbines) with steam generation and steam turbine cogeneration of ancillary power. Engine power augmentation including turbo compounding, micro-turbine power generation using turbo-charger machinery for stationary electric power generation and use. Interest extends to the thermodynamic modeling of cogeneration systems and their size vs. cost optimization. This interest is exhibited in course instruction in heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics.

I also am involved in all aspects of creative product concept genesis, design and product development. Product development extends the gamut from systems to prevent Road Rage to emergency repair of ruptured natural gas pipelines. University application of this interest includes instruction in the following courses: Machine Design, Statics and Dynamics, Intro. to Design and Intro. to Product Design as well as student Capstone Design Projects. I am also the Faculty Advisor for the Student's Mini-Baja vehicle competition.