Christopher Kovalchick
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
 

EDUCATION    

Johns Hopkins University 2002-2006   Baltimore, MD    
B.S. Engineering Mechanics
Minor, Mathematics

Peabody Conservatory    Baltimore, MD
B.M. Violin Performance

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Solid Mechanics Laboratory-Research Assistant  New York, NY
Columbia University, 5/2005-8/2005
- Designed a test setup for the high-temperature bulge testing of thin films
- Surveyed various techniques for implementing high-temperature application, including resistive, interferometric, and cartridge heating
- Mechanical analysis of characteristic polymer and metal thin films

Experimental Mechanics Laboratory-Research Assistant Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University, 9/2004-6/2005
- Microsample tensile testing of novel platinum alloys
- Used various optical techniques for measuring strain, including Interferometric Strain/Displacement Gage and capacitance gage testing
- Joint-collaboration with University of Cape Town, South Africa
- Funded by a Provost’s Undergraduate Research Award, The Johns Hopkins University
- Presented results at annual meeting of Society of Experimental Mechanics (SEM) in Portland, OR, June 2005
- Results to be published in future issue of Experimental Techniques
- Paper presentation awarded first prize in the International Student Paper Competition of SEM in Portland, OR, June 2005
 

Institute for Process Engineering – Guest Researcher Hannover, Germany
University of Hannover, 6/2004-8/2004
- Examined bubble behavior in a two-phase flow system under the influence of an electric field
- Operation of high voltage generators and complex air regulation systems
- Acquired images through the use of a high-speed data acquisition system (DAS)
- Investigated fluid flow in a capillary under imposition of an electric field
- Modeling of electric field distributon over a fluid surface in an isothermal liquid

Hemker Research Group- Research Assistant  Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University, 5/2003-5/2004
- Acquired sample preparation techniques used to isolate 30 mm thick bond coats from GE proprietary thermal barrier coatings used in jet engines
- Operated wire and plunge EDM machines, and diamond polishing machines to produce specimens for testing
- Performed high temperature tension and creep tests to analyze the mechanical properties of bond coats
 

RELEVANT COURSEWORK

- Continuum Mechanics  
- Differential Equations
- Introduction to Acoustics  
- Linear Algebra
- Partial Differential Equations
- Electronics and Instrumentation 
- Calculus I, II, III
- Computer-Aided Design (Pro Engineer) 
- Probability and Statistics
- Programming in Engineering (Matlab, Basic)
- German I, II, III, IV
- Materials Selection
- Mechanics-Based Design
- Statics and Mechanics of Materials
- Thermodynamics
- Fluid Mechanics
- Heat and Mass Transfer
- Conduction and Radiation of Heat
- Engineering Business and Management

PUBLICATIONS (available upon request)
- C. Kovalchick and W.N. Sharpe, Jr., “Microsample Tensile Testing of Platinum Alloys,” Experimental Techniques, publication pending.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROJECTS
Mechanics-Based Design Course Project   Spring 2004
- Designed a high-velocity impact apparatus used for experiments run with a standard Kolsky-Bar setup
- Worked in a team of three to organize and derive the idea for constructing the apparatus
- Presented the proposal in a report consisting of all design process elements

 

HONORS

- Young Trustee, Class of 2006, Johns Hopkins University (2006)
- Fulbright Grant-Germany (2006)
- United States Department of Defense NDSEG Fellowship (2006)
- National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship Awards, Honorable Mention (2006)
- 2006 USA Today Collegiate All-American, Honoroable Mention (2006)
- Robert George Gerstmeyer Award, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University (2006)
- 1^st Place, International Student Paper Competition, Society of Experimental Mechanics (2005)
- 1^st Place, JHU Undergraduate Research Symposium (2005)
- JHU Provost’s Undergraduate Research Award (2004)
- Vredenburg Fellowship, Whiting School of Engineering, JHU (2004)
- Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, April 2004-present
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars, April 2003-present
- Second Prize, William Marbury Violin Competition, The Peabody Conservatory (2004)
- Third Place, Extemporaneous Speaking, American Forensics Association District 7 Tournament (2004)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Society for Experimental Mechanics (SEM)
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

RESEARCH/ACADEMIC ADVISORS

W.N. Sharpe, Jr.
Decker Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

K.T. Ramesh
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

Xi Chen
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics
Columbia University
120 W. 120^th St.
New York, NY 10027

Cila V. Herman
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
The Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218

Prof.-Ing. Dieter Mewes
Institute for Process Engineering
University of Hannover
Callinstrasse 36
30167 Hannover Germany