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Dr. Colwell specializes in the engineering analysis of thermal and combustion processes, especially the cause, origin, and propagation of fires and explosions. Dr. Colwell has particular expertise investigating fires associated with automobiles, recreation vehicles, motorcycles, and heavy trucks, where typical fire scenarios include post-collision fires, structure fires involving vehicles, and fires that occur while the vehicle is being operated. He analyzes how these fire scenarios, along with vehicle design, operation, maintenance, repair, and aftermarket equipment, are related to mechanisms of fire causation, growth rate, and spread. He has specialized expertise in designing and conducting both component and full-scale tests to evaluate these complex relationships.
Dr. Colwell has also investigated a wide range of fires associated with residential and commercial structures, and industrial complexes associated with the chemical, refining, and mining industries. Technical issues addressed have included cause and origin determination, ignition mechanism, smoldering and self-heating, explosion venting, fire spread, smoke transport, smoke detector operation, building evacuation, fire department response, carbon monoxide poisoning, and handling of hazardous waste. He also evaluates the design and performance of household appliances, heating and cooling equipment, and various other consumer products. Dr. Colwell�s research has focused on forced ignition mechanisms, including spark (electrostatic) and hot-surface ignition of combustible mixtures, as well as ignition mechanisms associated with various types of electrical components in automotive electrical systems. He has also conducted research involving complex two-phase flows, liquid atomization, and droplet transport.
Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Colwell held research positions at AlliedSignal Aerospace, the Combustion Laboratory at Arizona State University, the High Temperature Gas Dynamics Laboratory at Stanford University, and the Thermal Sciences and Propulsion Center at Purdue University. | 