Richard Thorsen

  • Adjunct Professor, Vice President Emeritus

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Richard Thorsen

Dr. Thorsen is a Mechanical Engineer with a Ph.D. from New York University and is a member of the mechanical engineering faculty. He served as Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and then Head of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Polytechnic Institute of New York (now NYU Tandon School of Engineering) from 1974 -1983. During his tenure enrollment in the department increased from 400 undergraduates to 700 and graduate enrollment grew from 200 to 400. Sponsored research increased from $25,000 to more than $2 million annually. He introduced the School of Engineering's first computer-based instructional laboratory.

In 1983 he became Associate Provost for Computing and Information Systems. During the early stages of the PC and Workstation explosion, he worked closely with Aerospace and Architectural and Engineering Design companies to lead the University's development of Interactive Computer Graphics and Computer Aided Design (CAD) laboratories and curricula. He won a $3.2 million IBM CAD/CAM grant which enabled the introduction of CAD/CAM and VLSI instruction at Polytechnic.

He served as Dean Graduate Studies 1986 - 1992, a position in which he had responsibility for recruiting graduate students and establishing and implementing graduate student policies. The university’s high water mark in graduate enrollment until 2009 (2659) was achieved during this period. In 1992 he became Vice President for Research and Advanced Programs, a position in which he had overall responsibility for the University's research programs and government relations while leading the University's expansion in sponsored research from $6 to $12 million annually. He also had responsibility for maintaining the quality of the University's graduate programs and New York State accreditation of its doctoral programs.

As Vice President for Development and University Relations from 1995 -2006 he had responsibility for representing Polytechnic to its various constituencies for the purpose of enhancing support for the University. He was the director of all major fundraising activities and led the successful $275 million Campaign for Polytechnic - Fulfilling the American Dream, which raised $100 million in addition to the extraordinary Othmer gifts of $175 million.

Dr. Thorsen led Polytechnic’s development of its Strategic Plan for 2004-2007, Securing the Future and had responsibility for its implementation. He also led the University’s brand marketing initiative which led to PolyThinking® and The Power of PolyThinking® and became the foundation of our recent branding and marketing initiative. He led the University’s year-long sesquicentennial celebration in 2004 and 2005, raising $700,000 to cover the cost of all events and publications.

As Vice President for Academic Affairs, he coordinated the development of the University’s Strategic Plan for 2007-2010, through its adoption by the Board of Trustees in May 2007. He has been engaged in implementing the transformation of the University’s academic operations, under the leadership of the Provost. Recently he has developed a set of key metrics and indicators regarding critical academic and administrative operations and initiatives. These provide constructive performance feedback and inform management’s strategic decision making.

He is widely published in heat transfer and solar energy literature and has led major government and industry-sponsored research projects in these areas. He has been Principal Investigator on more than $26 million of sponsored research programs.

He was instrumental in the negotiations which led to the 1973 merger of Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and the New York University School of Engineering and Science, and it’s subsequent successful implementation. In 2007-2008 he played a leading role in the negotiations that led to Polytechnic’s  affiliate relationship with NYU and eventual consolidation as NYU’s School of Engineering.

Research Interests
Energy Systems Heat Transfer Nuclear Reactor Safety Solar energy Radiation Heat Transfer Combined Mode Heat Transfer Energy Conversion

New York University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

City College of New York, CUNY
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Polytechnic Institute of New York University
Vice President

Faculty Member, Mechanical Engineering, 1964-Present; Department Head, 1974 - 1983; Associate Provost for Computing, 1983-1986; Dean of Graduate Studies, 1986-1992; Vice President for Research and Advanced Programs, 1992-1995; Vice President for Development and University Relations, 1995 - 2006; Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2006-2010.

Northrup Grumman, April 1968 to June 1995
Consultant

Worked on Lunar Module, F14 Tomcat, Space Shuttle fuel system

Journal Articles

  • "Integral Methods in Transient Heat Conduction Problems with Uniform Initial Conditions," Int. J. Heat & Mass Transfer, vol.8, p. 189 (1965)
  • "Friction and Heat Transfer Characteristics in Turbulent Swirl Flow Subjected to Large Transverse Temperature Gradients," J. Heat Transfer, Trans. ASME (C), vol. 90, p. 87 (1968)
  • "Heat Transfer in a Tube with Forced Convection, Internal Radiation Exchange, Axial Wall Heat Conduction and Arbitrary Wall Heat Generation," Int. J. Heat & Mass Transfer, vol. 12, p. 1182 (1969)
  • "Creative Synthesis in Engineering," ERM Journal (ASEE), vol. 1, No.3, p. 13 (March 1969)
  • "The Influence of Internal Radiation Exchange, Arbitrary Wall Heat Generation and Wall Heat Conduction on Heat Transfer in Laminar and Turbulent Flows," Heat Transfer 1970, Proceedings of the Fourth International Heat Transfer Conference, Paris-Versailles, 1970, vol. III, Paper No. R2.8, September,1970
  • "Combined Forced Convection and Radiation Heat Transfer in Asymmetrically Heated Parallel Plate Channels," 1970 Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Institute, Monterey, CA, pp.32-44, June 1970
  • "A Young Engineering Teacher's View of Engineering Education," Mechanical Engineering, vol. 92, No. 1, p. 72 (1970) Richard S.Thorsen
  • "Combined Conduction, Convection and Radiation Effects in Optically Thin Tube Flow," 1971 AIChE-ASME Heat Transfer Conference, Paper No. 71-HT-17 (August 1971)
  •  "Coupled Optically Thin Radiation and Convection Heat Transfer in a Parallel Plate Channel," 1973 AIChE-ASME Heat Transfer Conference, Paper No. 73-HT-14, August, 1973
  • "Variable Property Turbulent Flow in a Horizontal Smooth Tube During Cooling with a Constant Temperature Boundary Condition," J. Heat Transfer, Trans. ASME, (C), February 1973
  •  "A Comparative Study of Vertical Upflow and Downflow in a Uniform- ly Heated Boiling Fluid," Heat Transfer 1974, Fifth International Heat Transfer Conference, Tokyo, Japan, September 1974
  •  "Transient Melting of a Solid Heated by a Condensing Saturated Vapor - Case I: Negligible Interface Curvature," J. Heat Transfer, Trans. ASME, (C), November 1975 
  • "Administration of Interdisciplinary Energy Programs Within a Traditional Department Structure," ASEE National Conference, Baton Rouge, LA, June, 1979
  • "Forced Flow Laminar Filmwise Condensation of Pure Saturated Vapor in a Vertical Tube," Int. J. Heat & Mass Transfer, vol. 23, p. 165, February, 1980
  • "Inexpensive Computer Graphics for Engineering Student Education," Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Frontiers in Education Conference," pp. 332-335, October, 1983
  • "The Microcomputer Environment at Polytechnic Institute of New York," Presented at a Mini-plenary session on University Microcomputer Environments organized by the author. Published in the Proceedings of the ASEE National Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1984. 
  • "Instruction in Interactive Graphics and Computer Aided Design Based on Microcomputers," Proceedings of the 1984 ASME Computers in Engineering Education Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada, Aug. 1984.
  • "The Role of Microcomputers and Mainframe Computers in University Responses to Industry CAD/CAM Needs," Proceedings of the 1985 ASEE National Conference. Mini-plenary session organized and chaired by the author.
  • "An RPC-Based CAD System in a Micro Environment," Computers in Engineering, Vol. 1, pp 11-13, ASME, New York, NY 1985.
  • "Industry Professorships: An Approach to Solving the Problem of Faculty Shortages," Proceedings of the 1986 ASEE National Conference.
  • "Integration of Two Geometric Modelers Based on Polyhedra and Rational Parametric Bicubics," ASME Computers in Engineering 1986, vol. 2, pp 85-88.
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Other Publications

  • "Combined Conduction, Convection and Radiation Effects in Internal Flows: Non-Participating Gases," New York University, Department of Mechanical Engineering Report No. F-69-4, September, 1969
  • "Combined Conduction, Convection and Radiation Effects in Internal Flows - Participating Gases," New York University, Department of Mechanical Engineering Report No. F-70-2, September, 1970
  • "Thermophysical Properties of Solid Hydrogen," Grumman Aerospace Corp., Report No. ADR 04-02-71.3, November, 1970
  • "Solid Hydrogen Storage and Thermal Experimental and Analytical Studies," Grumman Aerospace Corp., Report No. ADR 04-02-71.1, 1971
  • "The Feasibility of Simulating JP-4 Fuel Fire Environments Under Reproducible Furnace Conditions," Prepared for the Life Support Branch of the Bio-Engineering Division, U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Alabama (1971)
  • "Components for the Construction of a Two-Phase Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Loop," Final Report, NSF Grant No. GK3774 (1972)
  • "Curriculum for the Year 2000," Report of the Carnegie Study Task Force on Curriculum Development, Polytechnic Institute of New York (1974)
  • "A Plan for Creation of a Solar Energy Applications Center," Poly-M/AE Report 77-7, (Prepared for NYSERDA) May, 1977
  • "Westchester Solar Energy Demonstration and Evaluation Project - First Year Interim Report," Poly-M/AE Report 77-19, (Prepared for NYSERDA), November 1977
  • "HUD Solar Hot Water Initiative - Centralized Coordination of Technical Tasks and System Evaluation," Poly-M/AE Report 78-1 (Prepared for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), January, 1978
  • "Accelerating Solar Commercialization: Opportunities and Pitfalls," Second National Conference on the Solar Energy Business, Phoenix, AZ, February, 1978
  • "Preliminary Study of Solar Powered Ejector Compression/Vacuum Cooling Systems," Poly-M/AE Report 78-16 (Prepared for Fairchild - Republic), June, 1978
  • "HUD Solar Hot Water Initiative - Centralized Coordination of Technical Tasks and System Evaluation," Summary Report, June 1, 1977 - October 31, 1978, Poly-M/AE Report 78-25 (Prepared for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), November, 1978
  • "Westchester Solar Energy Demonstration and Evaluation Project: Second Year Report," Poly-M/AE Report 78-27 (Prepared for Consolidated Edison Company of New York and NYSERDA), November, 1978
  • "Thermal Performance Monitoring of Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems: Needs, Strategies and Pitfalls," Proceedings of the DoE Workshop on Solar System Monitoring, Poly-M/AE Report 80-29, Florida Solar Energy Center, Cape Canaveral, FL, December, 1980
  • "Solar Hot Water Component and System Performance Determination - Phase 1: System Installation and Instrumentation," Poly-M/AE Report 82-7 (Prepared for the Consolidated Edison Company of New York), June, 1982
  • "IBM CAD/CAM System: Installation and Utilization," First Year Report of the IBM CAD/CAM Grantee School Consortium, Dec. 1984.
  • "The Role of Directed Energy Weapons for the Defense of NATO Europe," Phase I Final Report, Prepared for SDIO-DEW, Sept. 1987.
  • "Solar Hot Water Component and System Performance Determination - Final Report," Prepared for The Consolidated Edison Company of New York, December 1987.
  • Principal Investigator on $28.1 million in Research and Education Contracts & Grants
  • R&D Projects for the Brooklyn Union Gas Company. Sponsor: BUG
  • Development of Femto second Laser Facility and other Space Electronics Initiatives. Sponsor: FAA
  • The Role of Directed Energy Weapons for the Defense of NATO Europe. Sponsor: SDIO
  • Three (3) TI PC/AT Computers for Software Development. Sponsor: Texas Instruments
  • 200 Copies of AUTOCAD CAD Software for Instructional Applications in Engineering Curricula. Sponsor: Autodesk, Inc.
  • DISSPLA Graphics Software Grant. Sponsor: ISSCO
  • On-Site Energy Audits and Thermal Analysis. Sponsor: US DoE
  • Assessment of the Impact of Compact and Micro-computers on Learning and New Curriculum Directions in Engineering and Science at the College/University Level. Sponsor: Texas Instruments
  • Evans and Sutherland PS330 3D-Graphics Workstation. Sponsor: Evans and Sutherland
  • CAD/CAM Equipment and Software for Instruction and Research. Sponsor: IBM
  • Seed Funding for Support in Computer Graphics for New Faculty. Sponsor: Institute for Imaging Sciences
  • Solar Hot Water Component and System Performance Determination. Sponsor: Con Edison
  • Analysis of, and Recommended Changes to,the "Intermediate Standards for Solar Domestic Hot Water Systems/HUD Initiative," NBSIR 77-1272. Sponsor: NIST
  • Payback on Residential Solar Hot Water Systems Installed in New York. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • Performance Monitoring of Selected Hot Water, Space Heating and Cooling Demonstration Sites. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • Technical Support for Solar Installation Monitoring Program. Sponsor: Northeast Solar Energy Research Center
  • Psychological, Social and Economic Factors in Solar Energy Use. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • Determination of Off-Design Behavior of a Solar Powered Ejector Compression/Vacuum Cooling System. Sponsor: Northrup-Grumman
  • Thermal Performance Tests and Cost Benefit Analysis of General Electric TC-100 Evacuated Tube Solar Collectors. Sponsor: Con Edison
  • Review of Laboratory Data Relating to Performance Change During 30-Day Stagnation Tests of Solar Collectors. Sponsor: NIST
  • Solar Applications for Process Heat in New York Industry. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • Preliminary Study of Solar Powered Ejector Compression/ Vacuum Cooling Systems. Sponsor: Northrup Grumman
  • Monitoring of HUD Solar Hot Water Initiative Sites in New York State. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • Program Support for New York State Energy Research and Development Authority via the Solar Energy Applications Center (SEAC)-- Multiple Tasks and Projects. Sponsor: NYSERDA
  • HUD Solar Hot Water Initiative: Coordination of Technical Tasks for Ten Participating States. Sponsor: US HUD
  • Westchester Solar Energy Demonstration and Evaluation Project. Sponsors: NYSERDA & Con Edison
  • Solar Collector Performance Testing. Sponsor: LILCO
  • The Feasibility of Simulating JP-4 Fuel Fire Environments Under Reproducible Furnace Conditions. Sponsor: US Army Aeromedical Research Laborartory
  • Components for the Construction of a Two-phase Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics Loop. Sponsor: NSF
  • Combined Radiation, Conduction and Convection for Gas Flows in Circular Tubes With Arbitrary Wall Heat Generation. Sponsor: NASA
  • Radiation Heat Transfer Problems With Uniform Heat Flux Boundary Conditions.Sponsor: NSF
  • Radiative Heat Transfer Analysis by Monte Carlo Methods. Sponsor: NSF
  • 2005: Polytechnic University Sesquicentennial Award to 25 Most Outstanding Alumni
  • 2007: Distinguished Alumnus Award, Polytechnic University

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