Dr. Josiah Knight
Duke University
 
Durham, NC
 
(919) 660-5337
jknight@duke.edu

Associate Professor, Pratt School of Engineering,
Duke University, Durham, North Carolina

The goal of Professor Knight's research in lubrication is to develop reliable and efficient methods of determining the temperatures and pressures in a lubricant film in order to predict the forces contributed by the film to the dynamics of a rotating shaft. The current focus is on examining the effects of internal heat generation and heat transfer between the film and its surroundings and the interaction between thermal effects and cavitation. Bearings are analyzed as components of turbomachine dynamic systems for purposes of forced vibration analysis, prediction of stability and transient motion calculations. This research involves the study of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and dynamics.
In the related area of rotor dynamics, research is underway on the application of magnetic suspension to the control of vibrations in rotating machinery. Magnetic bearings and actuators have the potential to improve dramatically the safety, reliability and efficiency of turbomachinery, with applications in power generation, transportation, chemical and manufacturing industries. This work combines aspects of the study of linear and nonlinear vibrations and control theory.