The Thermo-Fluidic Systems Laboratory at Georgia Southern University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing has been awarded a contract totaling almost $180,000 from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to address technological challenges aimed at enhancing the efficiency of power generation in power plants. 

Sevki Cesmeci, Ph.D., an associate professor of mechanical engineering, will serve as the sole principal investigator for the project.

“If successfully developed, the proposed solution could reduce the cost of electricity,” said Cesmeci. “I would like to thank the DOE for choosing my lab as their strategic partner in this endeavor. For me, the most exciting aspect of this project is that we have the DOE’s full support, which includes not only financial assistance, but also subject matter expertise and equipment support. This will help us resolve challenges more smoothly and in a timely manner.”

In addition to funding, the DOE will provide Cesmeci and his team with essential equipment and technical expertise to pioneer a groundbreaking technology that has yet to be explored to support future power generation technologies. This seed funding will be instrumental in conducting both theoretical and experimental studies, with the potential to make a long-term impact in the power field. In addition, this funding will also help train the next generation of engineers in the power industry.

Cesmeci and two mechanical engineering doctoral students will collaborate closely with the DOE, using the preliminary findings from this research as a foundation to seek additional funding to advance this innovative technology further.

Cesmeci’s research primarily focuses on high-risk, high-reward innovative technologies in the energy and health care industries. He has contributed to various innovation projects, with funding totaling more than $1.7 million from 2020 to 2026, including grants from the U.S. Department of Air Force, the U.S. Department of Energy, and Breakthrough T1D, the leading global type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization. 

In addition to his research, Cesmeci is dedicated to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, guiding them through complex engineering challenges to advance their technical skills and research capabilities at Georgia Southern. Cesmeci’s students have collectively won five top awards at the international American Society of Mechanical Engineers conferences since 2022.