Engineer Air Force

Michael Fife

abqch5@r.postjobfree.com 650-***-****

Play a lead role in developing electrical and mechanical technologies to solve important wide-scale problems.

Objective

Leader and self-starter with a track record of building productive teams

Professional

Experienced researcher with training and expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering, rocket

Profile

propulsion, computational simulation, data acquisition, and flight-testing

Relentless problem-solver with exceptional troubleshooting, organizational, and presentation skills

Cambridge, MA

Education MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Ph.D. and M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics 1993-1998

Studied space propulsion with minor in sensors and instrumentation.

Thesis: Hybrid-PIC Modeling and Electrostatic Probe Survey of Hall Thrusters

College Station, TX

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

BS in Aerospace Engineering, Summa Cum Laude 1988-1993

Studied aircraft design, fluid mechanics, and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Menlo Park, CA

MAXDON ELECTRIC, INC.

Experience

President 2006-present

Developing street-legal electric vehicles and sophisticated electronic controls:

75 MPH high-performance electric motorcycle

85 MPH high-performance lithium-ion electric motorcycle under development

ThrottleizerTM electric motor torque-control system

E-Drive SpyTM shunt-less monitoring and control system for electric vehicles

Modular Lithium-Ion Battery System with integrated charge/discharge controls

Menlo Park, CA

EXPONENT FAILURE ANALYSIS ASSOCIATES

Managing Engineer 2004-present

Managing large projects with high-profile clients to solve a wide variety of difficult cross-disciplinary problems in

engineering and technology. Working in the areas of patent litigation, consumer product liability, and failure analysis

of electrical and mechanical systems. Specific projects involve:

Control systems Medical devices

Electric motors Consumer products

Spacecraft Robotics

Edwards AFB, CA

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY

2002-2004

Leader, Electric Space Propulsion Group

1999-2002

Research Scientist, Electric Space Propulsion Group

Led a group of 20 highly qualified scientists and engineers developing innovative propulsion systems for Air Force

space missions. Example projects:

Led a science team in acquiring flight data and analyzing the performance of the ESEX 30 kW arcjet

flight experiment onboard the ARGOS satellite.

Managed a 4.5 kW Hall thruster system development effort valued at $6M. Combined Russian Hall

thruster design heritage with U.S. power electronics to deliver performance exceeding that of all

existing devices in its class.

Cambridge, MA

M.I.T. SPACE SYSTEMS LABORATORY

Research Assistant 1993-1998

Studied plasma physics in 1 kW Hall thruster discharges. Primary contributions to the field:

A novel electrostatic plasma diagnostics system based on single and triple Langmuir probes. Used

the system to make the first accurate two-dimensional mapping of the plasma plume in the near field

of a Hall thruster.

The first two-dimensional, time-accurate, hybrid-particle-in-cell numerical simulation for Hall

thruster physics studies. Used the simulation to identify and model, for the first time, two important

low-frequency plasma oscillation modes that had been observed experimentally.

Edwards AFB, CA

NASA DRYDEN FLIGHT RESEARCH CENTER

Aerospace Engineer 1991-1995

Developed instrumentation systems and flight software for a variety of aircraft and missions. Example projects:

Flush-mounted air data system for accurate determination of velocity, attitude, pressure altitude, and

Mach number with virtually no parasitic drag.

Miniature flight data recording system for a laminar flow study on a PIC-20E motorglider.

Inertial measurement unit with a 3-axis magnetometer for aircraft attitude stabilization.

Federal Laboratories Consortium Technology Transfer Award (2004)

Awards

AFRL Propulsion Directorate Technology Transfer Award (2003)

Exemplary Civilian Service Medal (2002)

Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer, California, #M33396

Certifications

Licensed Private Pilot (Single Engine Land, Glider), Hang Glider Pilot (H2)

F. I. Parra, E. Ahedo, J. M. Fife, and M. Mart nez-S nchez, A Two-Dimensional Hybrid Model of the Hall Thruster

Publications

Discharge, Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 100, No. 2, July 2006.

M. Gibbons, J. Fife, VanGilder, M. Santi, and D. Marshall, Calculation of Plasma Expansion Using a Two-

Timescale Accelerated Particle-In-Cell Method, 42nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, NV, 2004.

J. M. Fife, W. A. Hargus, D. B. VanGilder, D. E. Kirtley, and L. K. Johnson, 3-D Computation of Surface

Sputtering and Redeposition Due to Hall Thruster Plumes, 28th International Electric Propulsion Conference, 2003.

M. R. Gibbons, D. E. Kirtley, D. B. VanGilder, and J. M. Fife, Flexible Three-Dimensional Modeling of Electric

Thrusters in Vacuum Chambers 39th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Huntsville, Alabama,

2003.

V. Kim, V. Kozlov, A. Skrylnikov, A. Veselovzorov, J. M. Fife, and S. C. Locke, Investigation of Operation and

Characteristics of Small SPT with Discharge Chamber Walls Made of Different Ceramics, AIAA-2003-4872, 39th

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, 2003.

D.E. Lirtley and J. M. Fife, A Colloid Engine Accelerator Concept Update, 28th International Electric Propulsion

Conference, 2003.

J. M. Fife, M. R. Gibbons, D. B. VanGilder, and D. E. Kirtley, The Development of a Flexible, Usable Plasma

Interaction Modeling System, 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana,

2002.

S. Engelman, D. Kirtley, and J. M. Fife, Hemispherical Measurements of the SPT-140 Plume, 38th

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2002.

J. M. Fife, M. R. Gibbons, D. B. VanGilder, and D. E. Kirtley, Initial Use of a 3-D Plasma Simulation System for

Predicting Surface Sputtering and Contamination by Hall Thrusters, 33rd AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers

Conference, Maui, Hawaii, 2002.

J. M. Fife, M. R. Gibbons, D. B. VanGilder, and D. E. Kirtley, Architecture and Initial Results of a 3-D Plasma

Simulation System for Spacecraft-Thruster Interaction Assessment, JANNAF 2002.

J. M. Fife, D. R. Bromaghim, D. A. Chart, W. A. Hoskins, C. E. Vaughan, and L. K. Johnson, Orbital Performance

Measurements of Air Force Electric Propulsion Space Experiment Ammonia Arcjet, Journal of Propulsion and

Power, Vol. 18, No. 4, July-August 2002.

D. E. Kitley and J. M. Fife, A Colloid Engine Accelerator Concept, 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint

Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2002.

S. Engelman, D. E. Kirtley, and J. M. Fife, Analysis of Xenon Flow Calibration Techniques for Electric Thruster

Testing, 38th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2002.

D. R. Bromaghim, J. R. LeDuc, R. M. Salasovich, Review of the Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX)

Program, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 177-186, March/April 2002.

D. R. Bromaghim; J. R. Leduc; R. M. Salasovich; G. G. Spanjers; J. M. Fife; M. J. Dulligan; J. H. Schilling; D. C.

White; L. K. Johnson, Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX) On-Orbit Results, Journal of Propulsion and

Power, Vol. 18, No. 4, July-August 2002.

J. M. Fife and S. Locke, Influence of Channel Insulator Material on Hall Thruster Discharges: A Numerical Study,

39th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, NV, 2001.

S. Locke, U. Shumlak, and J. M. Fife, A Numerical Study of the Effect of Channel Insulator Discontinuity on Hall

Thruster Discharge, 27th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Pasadena, California, 2001.

S. Locke, U. Shumlak, and J. M. Fife, Effect of a Channel Wall Discontinuity in an SPT-Type Hall Thruster, 37th

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2001.

J. M. Fife, W. A. Hargus Jr., D. A. Jaworske, C. Sarmiento, L. Mason, R. Jankovsky, J. S. Snyder, S. Malone, J. Haas,

and A. Gallimore, Spacecraft Interaction Test Results of the High Performance Hall System SPT-140, 36th

AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, 2000.

W. Hargus Jr., J. Fife, K. McFall, R. Jankovsky, L. Mason, J. Snyder, S. Malone, J. Haas, A. Gallimore, Status of US

Testing of the High Performance Hall System SPT-140 Hall Thruster, 38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Reno, NV,

2000.

W. Hargus Jr., J. M. Fife, L. Mason, R. Jankovsky, T. Haag, L. Pinero, and J. S. Snyder, Preliminary Performance

Results of the High Performance Hall System SPT-140, 36th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion

Conference, Huntsville, Alabama, 2000.

L. K. Johnson, G. G. Spanjers, D. R. Bromaghim, J. R. LeDuc, R. M. Salasovich, J. A. Zimmerman, A. M. Sutton, J.

M. Fife, W. H. Hargus, R. A. Spores, et al, On-Orbit Optical Observations of the ESEX 26 kW Ammonia Arcjet,

AIAA-99-2710, 35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Los Angeles, California, 1999.

W. Hargus Jr., J. M. Fife, L. Mason, R. Jankovsky, T. Haag, L. Pinero, and J. S. Snyder, Preliminary Orbital

Performance Analysis of the Air Force Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX) Ammonia Arcjet, AIAA-99-

2707, 35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Los Angeles, California, 1999.

D. R. Bromaghim, J. R. LeDuc, R. M. Salasovich, J. A. Zimmerman, D. C. Matias, A. M. Sutton, G. G. Spanjers, J.

M. Fife, W. H. Hargus, R. A. Spores, An Overview of the On-Orbit Results from the ESEX Flight Experiment,

35th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Los Angeles, California, 1999.

J. M. Fife, J. R. LeDuc, A. M. Sutton, and D. R. Bromaghim, D. A. Chart, W. A. Hoskins, C. E. Vaughan, and L. K.

Johnson, Refined Orbital Performance Analysis of the Air Force Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX)

Ammonia Arcjet, 26th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Kitakyushu, Japan, 1999.

J. M. Fife and M. Mart nez-S nchez, Numerical Simulation of Facility Effects on Hall Thruster Performance, 26th

International Electric Propulsion Conference, Kitakyushu, Japan, 1999.

D. R. Bromaghim, J. R. LeDuc, R. M. Salasovich, A. M. Sutton, J. A. Zimmerman, D. C. Matias, A. M. Sutton, G. G.

Spanjers, J. M. Fife, W. A. Hargus, R. A. Spores, M. J. Dulligan, S. F. Engelman, J. H. Schilling, D. C. White,

Research, and L. K. Johnson, An Overview of the On-Orbit Results from the Electric Propulsion Space Experiment

(ESEX), 26th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Kitakyushu, Japan, 1999.

J. M. Fife, Hybrid-PIC Modeling and Electrostatic Probe Survey of Hall Thrusters, Ph.D. Thesis, Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, 1998.

J. M. Fife and M. Mart nez-S nchez, Characterization of the SPT-70 Plume Using Electrostatic Probes, 34th

AIAA/ASMA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998.

S. A. Whitmore, J. M. Fife, and L. Brashear, Development of a Closed-Loop Strap Down Attitude System for an

Ultrahigh Altitude Flight Experiment, AIAA-1997-537, Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, 35th, Reno, NV,

Jan. 6-9, 1997.

J. M. Fife, M. Mart nez-S nchez, and J. Szabo, A Numerical Study of Low-Frequency Discharge Oscillations in

Hall Thrusters, 33rd AIAA/ASMA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Seattle, Washington, 1997.

J. M. Fife and M. Mart nez-S nchez, Comparison of Results from a Two-Dimensional Numerical SPT Model with

Experiment, 32nd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, Lake Buena Vista, FL, 1996.

S. A Whitmore, R. J. Davis, and J. M. Fife, In-flight Demonstration of a Real-Time Flush Air Data Sensing System,

Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 33, Number 5, pp. 970-977, September-October 1996.

S. A Whitmore, R. J. Davis, and J. M. Fife, Real-Time Flush Air-Data Sensing System, NASA Tech Briefs, Vol.

20, No. 9, September 1996.

J. M. Fife and M. Mart nez-S nchez, Two-Dimensional Hybrid Particle-In-Cell (PIC) Modeling of Hall Thrusters,

24th International Electric Propulsion Conference, Moscow, Russia, 1995.

J. M. Fife, Two-Dimensional Hybrid-Particle-In-Cell Modeling of Hall Thrusters, Master s Thesis, Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, 1995.

S. A Whitmore, R. J. Davis, and J. M. Fife, In-Flight Demonstration of a Real-Time Flush Airdata Sensing (RT-

FADS) System, NASA TM 104314, 1995.

Electric Space Propulsion Development at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Invited Seminar at Michigan

Selected

Technical University, Houghton, MI, February 2004.

Presentations

Electric Space Propulsion Development at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Invited Seminar at the U.S. Air

Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO, April 2003 and October 2003.

Overview of Micropropulsion Research Activities at the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate,

DARPA Micropropulsion Workshop, May 2003.

Electric Propulsion: An Introduction and Development Status, Invited Seminar at the U.S. Naval Research

Laboratory, Monterrey, CA, May 2001, March 2002, and November 2002.

The Development of a Flexible, Usable Plasma Interaction Modeling System, U. S. Air Force Science Advisory

Board, Edwards AFB, CA, October 2002.

Electric Propulsion: An Introduction and Development Status, Invited Seminar at Virginia Polytechnic Institute,

Blacksburg, VA, September 2002.

Modeling and Simulation of Thruster-Spacecraft Interactions, Briefing to Chief of SAF/AQ, Edwards AFB, CA,

June 2002.

AFRL Electric Propulsion Development, Briefing to Air Force Chief Scientist, Edwards AFB, CA, March 2002.

Electric Propulsion Research at AFRL, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Molecular Dynamics Contractors

Meeting, Irvine, CA, May 2001.

Hall Thruster Research at AFRL, U. S. Air Force Science Advisory Board, Wright Patterson AFB, OH, November

2000.

Hang Gliding, Rugby, Running, Mountain Biking, Soccer, Motorcycles

Personal

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