Affiliated Department or Office
Education
BS University of Massachusetts, Lowell 1988
BA University of Massachusetts, Lowell 1988
PhD Northwestern University 1994
Postdoc Laboratoire d’Hydrodynamique Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau 1995-1996

Applied Mathematics is a broad subdiscipline within mathematics, and the theme of my work over the past two decades has been the application and practice of mathematics to fields in engineering and science.  In particular, my
research program centers on the development or implementation of mathematical models in areas of fluid dynamics, interfacial dynamics, porous media flows, electromagnetic energy harnessing, and geothermal energy collection and storage.  In all of  these scientific fields, my research centers on formulating mathematical descriptions of these scenarios, and then using techniques such as nondimensionalization and asymptotic analysis, find effective, simpler mathematical models whose accuracy is known and whose relevance is specialized to a particular experimental or field situation.  These models typically consist of nonlinear partial differential equations, and they are still sufficiently complicated that analytical solutions may not be known in closed form, but simulating them computationally is feasible.  The computational resources needed to solve these simpler models allow for simulation over a wide range of experimental parameters, which can aid significantly in engineering design choices.

Picture of Prof. Burt S. Tilley
Email
tilley@wpi.edu
Affiliated Department or Office
Education
BS University of Massachusetts, Lowell 1988
BA University of Massachusetts, Lowell 1988
PhD Northwestern University 1994
Postdoc Laboratoire d’Hydrodynamique Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau 1995-1996

Applied Mathematics is a broad subdiscipline within mathematics, and the theme of my work over the past two decades has been the application and practice of mathematics to fields in engineering and science.  In particular, my
research program centers on the development or implementation of mathematical models in areas of fluid dynamics, interfacial dynamics, porous media flows, electromagnetic energy harnessing, and geothermal energy collection and storage.  In all of  these scientific fields, my research centers on formulating mathematical descriptions of these scenarios, and then using techniques such as nondimensionalization and asymptotic analysis, find effective, simpler mathematical models whose accuracy is known and whose relevance is specialized to a particular experimental or field situation.  These models typically consist of nonlinear partial differential equations, and they are still sufficiently complicated that analytical solutions may not be known in closed form, but simulating them computationally is feasible.  The computational resources needed to solve these simpler models allow for simulation over a wide range of experimental parameters, which can aid significantly in engineering design choices.

Office
Stratton Hall 101
Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Affordable and Clean Energy Goal

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Goal

Scholarly Work

Selected Publications are listed here:  See my Personal Webpage for a complete list of publications.

B. Gu, B.S. Tilley,  and T. Baumann,  Transient Interfracture Permeability Evolution Generated by Thermal-Carbonaceous Reaction Kinetics in Aquifer Thermal Storage Applications. Math Geosci (2026)  (doi:  10.1007/s11004-026-10288-8)

C. Nieves, A. Baros, B. Hoff, Z. Cohick, J. Perez, V. Yakovlev, and B. Tilley, Transient electromagnetic heating of ceramic slabs with nonlinear thermal transport, 2025 IEEE Pulsed Power & Plasma Science Conference, pp. 1-2. (doi:  10.1109/PPPS56198.2025.11248491)

A.A. Mohekar, B.S. Tilley and V.V. Yakovlev, "Resonance, Rayleigh flows and thermal choking:  Compressible coolant states in porous electromagnetic heat exchangers", J. Appl. Phys. 133 124906 (2023) (doi:  10.1063/5.0139723)

B.W. Hoff, Z.W. Cohick, B.S. Tilley, J.W. Luginsland, D. Revelli, J.Cox, H. Irshad, A. Snider, A. Arndt, B.L. Ibey, D.A. Enderlich, R.J. Thomas, J.W. McConaha, M.A. Franzi, W.P. Roach, and D.A. Shiffler, "Observed Reductions in the Infectivity of Bioaerosols Containing Bovine Coronavirus Under Repetitively Pulsed RF Exposure", IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., 70 No. 2 pp. 640-649 (2023) (doi:  10.1109/TBME.2022.3199333

J.M. Gaone, B.S. Tilley, and V.V. Yakovlev, "High-Frequency Homogenization for Electromagnetic Heating of Periodic Media", Multiscale Model. Simul. 19, 1285 (2021) (doi:  10.1137/20M1369415)