John Leylegian

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Leylegian began his career in academia with Manhattan College in January 2008 as an adjunct assistant professor. He is currently an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and he has also held the title of visiting assistant professor (2008-2009) and assistant professor (2009-2015). His teaching responsibilities have included classes primarily focused on the thermal-fluid sciences, computer programming, and communication. He is the main editor of the Department's "A Guide to Technical Communication."

Prior to coming to Manhattan College, Dr. Leylegian was employed at Orbital ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls New York Operations (Formerly ATK GASL, Allied Aerospace GASL Division and GASL, Inc.) from April 2000 to September 2008, and held the title of senior scientist in the Aerodynamics and Propulsion Analysis Department. He served as technical lead for programs involving the use of kerosene-based fuels for hypersonic cooling applications and fuel cell-based power generation. In addition, Dr. Leylegian participated in a NASA-funded research project using low-temperature plasmas to reduce NOx emissions from jet engines.

He was involved in the coordination of fuels and energy-related projects at ATK TP&C, and was routinely consulted by the technical staff of ATK TP&C and other ATK companies on the design, testing, and analysis of chemically reacting systems. While at ATK, Dr. Leylegian served as technical lead for two programs involving the development of turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine technology. Other efforts consisted of: the development of supersonic and hypersonic propulsion systems for vehicles in support of projects funded by NASA, DARPA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Army. 

He has also worked on various trade studies, on projects including liquid fuel heating and delivery systems for various NASA test facilities and fuel selection for next-generation air-breathing munitions design. Other projects in which he participated include the development and upgrade of various analysis tools used at ATK GASL and safety reviews of GASL wind tunnel facility systems, including hydrogen, silane, and liquid jet fuel delivery systems.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Leylegian serves as a consultant to Innoveering LLC on scramjet engine design and analysis.

Education

  • B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from The Cooper Union
  • M.A. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University
  • M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University
  • Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University

Courses Taught

  • ENGS 116: Introduction to Engineering Computation
  • ENGS 206: Statics
  • MECH 230: Introductory Solid Mechanics
  • MECH 231: Solid Mechanics Laboratory
  • MECH 302: Applied Thermodynamics
  • MECH 314: Engineering Analysis and Numerical Methods
  • MECH 318: Fluid Mechanics I
  • MECH 319: Fluid Mechanics II
  • MECH 401: Mechanical Engineering Design I
  • MECH 402: Mechanical Engineering Design II
  • MECH 405: Thermal/Fluids Laboratory
  • MECG 512: Energy Conversion
  • MECG 516: Turbomachinery
  • MECG 528: Combustion Systems
  • MECG 541: Selected Topics in Thermodynamics
  • MECG 612: Alternative Energy Systems
  • MECG 702: Compressible Flow
  • MECG 746: Research Project in Mechanical Engineering
  • Research

    Dr. Leylegian’s main interest is in combustion, specifically in the high-temperature chemistry of reacting flows. He has performed experimental and computational studies on flame environments, from simple flow fields to high-speed supersonic combustion ramjet (SCRAMJET) combustors. He has also been involved in studies of fuel reforming for engine cooling and fuel cell applications, and novel energy conversion technologies. He is also well-versed in the numerical simulations of these phenomena, using industry-standard codes.

  • Publications and Scholarly Activities

    Peer-reviewed book chapters:

    • J. C. Leylegian, “External Incompressible Flows” and “Compressible Flow,” in CRC Handbook of Thermal Engineering, 2nd Edition, R. P. Chhabra, editor, CRC Press, New York, 2017, pp 178 – 208.
    Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
    • J. C. Leylegian, “Creation of Small Skeletal Models in Kinetic Model Reduction for CFD Applications,” AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 1262-1268 (2018). doi: 10.2514/1.B36913
    • J. C. Leylegian, T. V. Paul, and V. A. Tulino, “A Method of Kinetic Model Reduction for CFD Applications,” AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 1231-1243 (2013). doi: 10.2514/1.B34805.
    • J. A. Spero and J. C. Leylegian, “Development of a Kinetic Model to Describe the Reforming of Logistical Fuels,” AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 757-763 (2013). doi: 10.2514/1.B34800
    • J. C. Leylegian, W. Chinitz, G. Benel, and M. J. Castaldi, “An Investigation of Short Contact Time Reactors for Regeneratively-Cooled Hypersonic Vehicles,” AIAA Journal of Propulsion and Power, Vol. 28, No. 2 pp 412-422 (2012). doi: 10.2514/1.B34118
    • J. C. Leylegian, “Soot Formation in Aerodynamically-Strained Methane- Air and Ethylene -Air Diffusion Flames with Chloromethane Addition,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 152 No. 1-2 pp. 144-153 (2008). doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2007.07.015
    • J. C. Leylegian, H. Y. Sun, and C. K. Law, “Laminar Flame Speeds and Kinetic Modeling of Hydrogen/Chlorine Combustion,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 143, pp. 199-210 (2005). doi:10.1016/j.combustflame.2005.06.002
    • J. C. Leylegian, C. K. Law, and H. Wang, “Laminar Flame Speeds and Oxidation Kinetics of Tetrachloromethane,” Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Vol. 27, The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, pp. 529-536 (1998). doi:10.1016/S0082-0784(98)80443-8 
    • J. C. Leylegian, D. L. Zhu, C. K. Law, and H. Wang, “Experiments and Numerical Simulation on the Laminar Flame Speeds of Dichloromethane and Trichloromethane,” Combustion and Flame, Vol. 114, No. 3-4 pp. 285-293 (1998). doi:10.1016/S0010-2180(97)00326-X

    Peer-Reviewed Meeting Papers:

    • J. C. Leylegian and M. H. Naraghi, “Design of Experiments, an Integral Part of a Thermal/Fluids Laboratory Course,” Presented at the 2012 International Mechanical Engineering Congress, Houston, TX, November 2012.
    • J. C. Leylegian, M. H. Naraghi, S. Montoni, M. Kaszczak Jr., and V. Garafolo, “Design of Experiment to Evaluate Thermal Resistance of PTAC Unit,” Paper IMECE2011-65030. Presented at the 2011 International Mechanical Engineering Congress, Denver, CO, November 2011.

    Meeting Papers:

    • J. C. Leylegian, “Creation of Small Skeletal Models in Kinetic Model Reduction for CFD Applications.” Paper AIAA 2017-5082, presented at the 53rd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Atlanta, GA, July 2017. doi: 10.2514/6.2017-5082
    • N. A. Amato, J. C. Leylegian and M. H. Naraghi, “CFD Analysis of Film Cooling and Heat Transfer in a Bipropellant Rocket Nozzle, Incorporating Chemically Reacting Flow.” Paper AIAA 2016-4672, presented at the 52nd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Salt Lake City, UT, July 2016.
    • A. M. Abdulrahman and J. C. Leylegian, “Incorporation of Path Flux and Steepest Descent Methods in Kinetic Model Reduction for CFD Applications.” Paper AIAA 2014-3663, presented at the 50th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Cleveland, OH, July 2014.
    • J. A. Spero and J. C. Leylegian, “Development of a Chemical Kinetic Model to Describe the Endothermic Reforming of Logistical Fuels.” Paper AIAA-2012-4109, presented at the 48th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Atlanta, GA, July 2012.
    • J. C. Leylegian and V. A. Tulino, “Further Progress On A Kinetic Model Reduction Method for CFD Applications.” Paper AIAA-2012-4168, presented at the 48th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Atlanta, GA, July 2012.
    • J. C. Leylegian and T. V. Paul, “A New Method of Chemical Kinetic Model Reduction for CFD Applications.” Paper AIAA-2011-5850, Presented at the 47th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, San Diego, CA, August 2011.
    • J. C. Leylegian, W. Chinitz, G. Benel and M. J. Castaldi, “Continued Investigation of Short Contact Time Reactors for Regeneratively-Cooled Hypersonic Vehicles.” Paper AIAA-2010-6791, Presented at the 46th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Nashville, TN, July 2010.
    • A. A. Sklar, C. Nicholson, D. Cresci, and J. Leylegian, “Examining Test Medium Effects of an Axisymmetric Dual Mode Scramjet Engine in a Single Freejet Engine Test Facility.” In the JANNAF 43rd CS/31st APS/25th PSHS Subcommittee Joint Meeting, La Jolla, CA, CD-ROM, December 2009.
    • M. J. Castaldi, J. C. Leylegian, W. Chinitz, and D. P. Modroukas, “Development of an Endothermic Fuel Platform for Regeneratively-Cooled Hypersonic Vehicles.” Paper AIAA 2006-4403, Presented at the 42nd AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Sacramento, CA, July 2006.

    Work-in-Progress Presentations:

    • J. C. Leylegian, M. J. Castaldi, W. Chinitz, G. Benel, C. J. Nicholson, N. McLaughlin, and G. Papadopoulos, “Use of Short Contact Time Catalytic Reactors in the Pyrolytic Reforming of Logistical Fuels.” Work in Progress Poster Presented at the 32nd International Symposium on Combustion, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada, August 2008.
    • Member of the AIAA Propellants and Combustion Technical Committee
    • Abstract Reviewer for ASEE and AIAA conferences
  • Professional Experience and Memberships

    Professional Experience

    Senior Scientist, Aerodynamics and Propulsion Analysis, ATK Tactical Propulsion and Controls, 2000-2008.

    Consultant, Innoveering LLC, 2016 - present

     

    Memberships

    • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
    • The Combustion Institute
    • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
    • American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
  • Honors, Awards, and Grants
    • Mechanical Engineering Department Outstanding Teacher Award, 2012
    • Recipient of ATK Achievement Award, 2006
    • Elected to Tau Beta Pi, Pi Tau Sigma, and Sigma Xi Honor Societies
  • Other

    Faculty Moderatorships:

    • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
    • Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society