Dr. Bryan D. Willson
Professor

Dr. Bryan D. Willson

Dr. Bryan D. Willson

office: A103Q Engineering
email: bryan@engr.colostate.edu
phone: (970) 491-4783
fax: (970) 491-3827

Director, Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory

Video

Funded Research

Internal combustion engines; two-stroke cycle engines; alternative fuels and vehicles; biomass and biological fuels; enhanced ignition (precombustion chambers, diesel pilot ignition, laser ignition); formation and control of emissions from IC engines, including both criteria pollutants and hazardous air pollutants; intelligent control of IC engines; improved cookstoves for developing countries; hydrogen production and utilization; sustainable development.

Teaching Emphasis

Design, dynamics, energy conversion, and sustainable development

Positions and Boards

Founder & Director: Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory
May 1992 - present
One of CSU's elite "Programs of Research and Scholarly Excellence." The Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory is a comprehensive research/teaching facility, with emphasis on engines, fuels, and energy conversion technology. The laboratory is housed in the 24,000 ft2 Old Fort Collins Power Plant, and has extensive facilities for experimental research on engines ranging from 1 hp to 2,500 hp. The EECL is the only laboratory in North America with capabilities for experimental research on large engines. The EECL houses the world's largest optical-access experimental engine. Beginning in 2002, the EECL began a program of international technology development, primarily aimed at reducing energy use and environmental impact transportation, electric power production, and cooking / household energy. The laboratory is currently launching new activities in biomass and biological fuels, and "smart" electrical grids. Cumulative research funding of over $20 million.

Co-Founder & Board of Directors: Envirofit International
Unpaid position. One of 4 co-founders of Envirofit International, Ltd.

Envirofit is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation committed to improving global health through the development and dissemination of technology solutions to environmental problems in the developing world. Envirofit is currently focused on the widespread dissemination of clean retrofit technology to reduce emissions from 2-stroke cycle engines in Asia. Currently funded by the product sales, the Bohemian Foundation (US), and Swiss government.

Co-Founder & Director: Global Innovation Center for Energy, Environment, and Health
The Global Innovation Center formalizes and expands a unique partnership between the College of Engineering and College of Business to develop and disseminate energy and environmental solutions in the developing world, with the ultimate goal of improving human health. The Center will focus on developing the technology and business structures to disseminate sustainable solutions for some of the world's most pressing environmental problems.

Co-Founder, CTO & Board of Directos: Solix BioFuels, Inc.
Solix is a for-profit corporation founded in 2006 to develop commercial production of biodiesel from algae. Solix was founded through a partnership with CSU (CSU is an equity holder) and currently operates out of the CSU Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory. Helped to form the initial business plan, launch the company, raise the startup funding and subsequent funding rounds. Architect of Solix's 2^nd Generation (G2) technology. Currently serving as Solix's Chief Technology Officer.

Interim Director: CSU Clean Energy Supercluster
The Clean Energy Supercluster (CES) consists of 90 faculty members at CSU focused on the broad issues related to meeting future energy needs in a sustainable manner. Establishment of the CES is currently under review within the CSU system, with formal approval expected in June, 2007.

Education

Honors and Awards

  • Envirofit received the World Clean Energy Award, Basel, Switzerland, June 2007
  • CSU George Abell Outstanding International Faculty Award, 2007
  • CSU Office of International Programs Distinguish Service Award, 2007
  • Envirofit named as one of the "10 Companies Likely to Create Significant Global Change" by Stanford Review of Innovation, Summer '06
  • Tech Museum Award for Innovation, 2005. Awarded to Envirofit International for its 2-stroke retrofit program in Asia. Presented by the Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose for "technology in the service of humanity"
  • Mondialogo Engineering Award, 2005. Awarded to a team of engineering students from CSU and Tribhuvan University in Nepal. I was faculty adviser. The team developed an electricity-generating wood-fired cookstove for use in developing countries. Presented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization and DaimlerChrysler for technology in the service of humanity.
  • EPA P3 Award (People, Prosperity, and Planet), 2005. Awarded to a team of engineering students from CSU and University of Colorado - Denver for their project to develop an energy strategy for displaced villages in India. Co-adviser with Dr. Anu Ramaswami from UC-Denver.
  • 2002 "Scientist of the Year," awarded by the Blue Ribbon Coalition for work on reducing emissions from 2-stroke cycle snowmobile engines
  • Society of Automotive Engineers National Faculty Adviser Award - 1999
  • CSU Engineering Dean's Council Award - 1999
  • CSU Engineering Dean's Council Award - 1993
  • Outstanding Paper Award - Reciprocating Machinery Conference, 1992
  • Outstanding Educator Award - American Society of Engineering Educators, 1992
  • Ralph R. Teetor Outstanding Educator Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers, 1991
  • Outstanding Teaching Award from the CSU Chapter of ASME, 1989
  • College of Engineering Graduate Student Teaching Award, University of Texas at Austin, 1987
  • R. C. Baker Fellowship, University of Texas at Austin, 1987
  • H. Grady Rylander Teaching Award and Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, University of Texas at Austin, 1986

Faculty & Staff