Dr. Ludwig Carlos Nitsche, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of the District of Columbia, specializes in fluid mechanics, transport phenomena, and applied mathematics, with applications in drug delivery and porous media flow. With extensive leadership experience, including serving as Associate Dean at UDC and the University of Illinois at Chicago, he is deeply engaged in accreditation, academic advising, and fostering STEM pathways for underrepresented students.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Roles
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, UDC, 2024-Present Tri-Chair, Middle States Accreditation Steering Committee, 2023-Present Associate Dean School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UDC, 2019-24
Courses Taught
MECH 321 Fluid Mechanics MECH 322 Thermofluids Lab CVEN 308 Applied Numerical Methods for Engineers MECH 492 Senior Design II MECH 491 Senior Design I CCEN 101 Introduction to Engineering
Expertise
Teaching and academic advising Accreditation and related documentation
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Fluid mechanics; transport phenomena; applied mathematics and numerical analysis; applied to drug delivery; flow in porous media; transport of chemicals and drugs through skin; computer simulations (e.g., particle-based); asymptotic theory.
Leadership
Associate Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, 2019-24 Associate Dean for undergraduate Affairs, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2015-19 Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2014-15
Impact
Selected Publications
Leon Plata, P.A., Nitsche, L.C., & Liu, Y. (2021). Manipulation of toroidal-spiral particles' internal structure by fluid flow. Physics of Fluids, 3, 054102. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0048924
Aljehani, A., Nitsche, L.C., & Al-Hallaj, S. (2020), Numerical modeling of transient heat transfer in a phase change composite thermal energy storage (PCC-TES) system for air conditioning applications, Applied Thermal Engineering, 164, 114522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114522
Molnar, I. L., Pensini, E., Asad, M. A., Mitchell, C. A., Nitsche, L. C., Pyrak-Nolte, L. J., Miño, G.L., & Krol, M. M. (2019). Colloid transport in porous media: A review of classical mechanisms and emerging topics. Transport in Porous Media, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-019-01270-6
Nitsche, L. C., Kasting, G. B., & Nitsche, J. M. (2019). Microscopic models of drug/chemical diffusion through the skin barrier: Effects of diffusional anisotropy of the intercellular lipid. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 108(5), 1692–1712. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2018.11.014
Aljehani, A., Razacke, S., Nitsche, L.C., & Al-Hallaj, S. (2018), Design and optimization of a hybrid air conditioning system with thermal energy storage using phase change composite, Energy Conversion & Management, 169, 404–418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2018.05.040
L. C. Nitsche, B. A. Bernal (2018), Stokes flow singularity at a corner joining solid andporous walls at arbitrary angle. Journal of Engineering Mathematics, 108, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10665-017-9901-2
Selected Grants
National Science Foundation. (2016). A community-centered approach to improving STEM pathways for underrepresented students.
National Science Foundation. (2017). An integrated program for recruitment, retention, and graduation of academically talented low income engineering students.
National Science Foundation. (2014). Midwest thermodynamics and statistical mechanics conference.
National Science Foundation. (2013). Multiscale theory and computer simulation of skin absorption phenomena.
Recognitions
Excellence in Teaching Award, University of Illinois Chicago, 2013-14 Harold A Simon Award for Excellence in Teaching, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 2011-12 Faculty Teaching Award, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 2008 Teaching Recognition Program Award, Council on Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Illinois Chicago, 2007 Faculty Teaching Award, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago, 2006
