JEAN-MICHEL TOURNIER, PH.D., FRENCH P.E.

(CENTRALIEN)
505-433-9802 Tournier.JeanMichel@gmail.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/JMTournier

THERMAL ANALYST & RESEARCH ENGINEER | POWER PLANTS | SIMULATION | OPTIMIZATION

Self-motivated and energetic research scientist with a unique, dual background in engineering sciences and
applied mathematics/numerical analysis with a passion for innovation and excellence; adept at working
independently and collaboratively with a team of multidisciplinary engineers; able to learn and adapt to
exceed expectations; results oriented, versatile, and dedicated. Experienced in designing, modeling and
optimizing sophisticated space and nuclear power systems; thermal management; energy conversion; and
solving complex scientific problems for the advancement of innovative solutions impacting energy systems,
renewable resources and space exploration. Prolific author with strong written/verbal skills.
Thermodynamics Heat Transfer Hydraulics CFD Thermo-Electrics AMTEC Turbo-Machinery
Heat Exchangers Alkali Metal Technology Porous Media Capillary Flow Heat Pipes Space Radiators
Nuclear Graphite Oxidation Software Development Design and Optimization Numerical Simulation
Fast Implementation and Delivery Results Oriented Imaginative and Lateral Thinker Analytical and
Decision Making Skills Creative Problem Solver Detail Oriented Interpersonal and Leadership Skills
Ability to Motivate and Empower Others Effective Communicator Integrity and Commitment

EDUCATION
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Ph.D., cum laude, GPA: 3.79
Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, Space and Nuclear Power Systems, 1996
cole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures de Paris, France
French P.E. (Centralien), honors, Energetics and Heat Transfer, 1988
University Paris XIII, France
M.S., summa cum laude, graduated first of class, Applied Mathematics, 1986
Extensive Publication Record
Peer-reviewed Conference Proceedings (82), International Journals (45), Book Chapter (1),
Review Papers (4), Final Reports and Software Manuals to government agencies/clients (19)
(URLs: http://www.isnps.unm.edu/publications/search/
http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jean_Michel_Tournier)
Multilingual
AmericanEnglish and French

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Portable Buildings Manufacturing Plant, Avondale, AZ

January 2013 Present

Manufacturing Operation and Production Manager

I re-engineered, restructured and retooled a facility from the ground-up to support manufacturing
operation. Oversaw materials, employees, production, budget, dispatch, plant upkeep, safety.

I optimized and maintained plant operations: work assignments; production flow schedules; hiring
and training of unseasoned crews; receiving/shipping; raw materials inventory and purchasing
controls; and tools and equipment maintenance; proficiently used Netsuite ERP/MRP.

Achievements:

I increased profitability by a factor > 2 and maintained production, meeting sales demand.

I maintained superior quality control building standards.

I significantly reduced materials waste through implementation of effective inventory controls.

JEAN-MICHEL TOURNIER

PAGE 2 OF 3

INSTITUTE FOR SPACE AND NUCLEAR POWER STUDIES

Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

1990 2013

Research & Development Engineer | Energy Converters | Power Plants | Heat Transfer
I developed and completed both long and short-term research studies in the design, optimization and
analysis of novel static and dynamic energy systems, heat exchangers and integrated space and terrestrial
nuclear power plants. Expertise in thermal management, thermodynamics, fluid flow, rarefied gas flow,
porous media, radiative heat transfer, space radiators, heat pipes, alkali metal technology, energy
conversion, Thermo-Electrics, Alkali Metal Thermal-to-Electric Converters (AMTEC), and turbo-machinery.
I co-authored grants, Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings and International Journals.
Achievements:

I developed innovative designs and analysis models of nuclear power systems for space and
terrestrial applications: heat pipes reactors, liquid metal-cooled reactors, heat pipes radiators.

I participated in experimental vacuum tests and improved advanced static energy conversion
systems: ThermoElectric converters (TE), AlkaliMetal Thermalto-Electric Converters (AMTEC).

I analyzed and optimized recuperated Closed Brayton Cycles of gas-cooled, High Temperature
Reactor plants with multistage axial-flow turbo-machinery. I developed/verified correlations with
thousands of test data to calculate the thermodynamic / transport properties of gas mixtures.

I designed and analyzed the performance of advanced nuclear Radioisotope Power Systems and
Heater Units; reviewed gas release and retention mechanisms in coated-particle PuO2/UO2 fuels;
compiled available fabrication techniques of particle fuels and gas-cooled nuclear reactor fuels.

I developed and benchmarked sophisticated transient analysis models to simulate frozen startup
and shutdown transients of tilted alkali-metal (H2PAC, developed for Los Alamos National Lab) and
water heat pipes (HPTAM, under NASA Glenn Research Center sponsorship).

UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, Albuquerque, NM

1996 2013

Research Professor of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering

In addition to teaching live main-campus courses, I taught live interactive television sessions to graduate
engineers in off-campus locations, i.e., Los Alamos National Lab and Sandia National Lab via UNMs
statewide Interactive Television (ITV) two-way videoconferencing. I taught problem-based upper division
and graduate courses, i.e.: (1) Thermodynamics and Power Plants; (2) Thermal Hydraulics of Nuclear
Systems; (3) Nuclear Engineering Design; and (4) Introduction to Space Nuclear Power.
I participated in UNMs Graduate Student Peer-Mentoring Program, supporting scholarly, professional and
personal development through collaboration, encouragement, knowledge sharing, and critical and reflective
analysis. I participated as a Final Examination Committee Member for MS and PhD graduates.
I co-authored grants, Peer-Reviewed Conference Proceedings and International Journals.
Achievements:

I developed a core course curriculum: Thermodynamics and Power Plants, Spring 2009.

I developed and presented a Short Course: Heat Pipes Design and Technology, Space Technology
and Applications International Forum, Albuquerque, NM, Feb 2003.

Instructor of course sections and firstchoice substitute teacher: Thermal Hydraulics of Nuclear
Systems, Introduction to Space Nuclear Power, Nuclear Engineering Design, UNM, 1996 2012.

I developed and presented an upper management level workshop: Technology, Modeling & Design
Optimization of AMTECs, Bechtel-Bettis Atomic Power Lab., West Mifflin, PA, July 2001.

R&D Grants Task Leader and Co-PI

NASA Glenn Research Center
Air Force Research Lab
Knolls Atomic Power Lab
Jet Propulsion Lab

1996 2013
Westinghouse Electric Co.
Los Alamos National Lab
Sandia National Lab
Boeing Company

Idaho National Lab

U.S. Department of Energy
Bechtel-Bettis Atomic Power Lab
Sholtis Eng. and Safety Consulting

JEAN-MICHEL TOURNIER
INSTITUTE FOR SPACE AND NUCLEAR POWER STUDIES
Chemical & Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

PAGE 3 OF 3
1989 2013

Power & Thermal Engineering Software Developer | Optimization | Performance

I developed and programmed design optimization and transient performance analysis models of devices
and integrated nuclear power plants. Expertise: Delivery of fast and accurate modeling tools of complex
systems involving multi-physics processes; Finite Elements Analysis (FEA), finite-difference and control
volume techniques on staggered grids; SIMPLE(C) and PISO segregated iterative solution techniques;
matrix solution techniques. Advanced training in Applied Mathematics and Engineering Sciences.
Achievements:

I developed a unique, transient chemical kinetics model of nuclear graphite oxidation to CO and
CO2, the culmination of more than 50 years of peer research; I successfully validated the model
with test data for PyC, IG-110,NBG-18, NBG-25 and PCEA graphites (Idaho National Lab).

I developed FORTRAN 95 design optimization and performance models of heat exchangers and
multistage axial-flow turbines and compressors for MELCOR-H2, the worlds first transient nuclear
reactor-hydrogen generation design and safety analysis code (Sandia National Lab).

I developed complex and versatile DynMo-CBC and DynMo-TE (alkali metal cooled, EM pumps)
transient models on the MATLAB/ SIMULINK platform to study startup and shutdown transients
and develop autonomous control schemes of integrated space nuclear power plants.

I developed optimization models of AMTEC/TE energy converters and alkali metal thermal-hydraulics
loops, and performance models of high-energy utilization (> 93%) nuclear power plants with cogeneration of heat, to support collaborative research with the Westinghouse Electric Co.

I developed and validated accurate and extremely fast running models of thermochemical multi-tube
AMTEC converters and of vacuum tests setup; I guided Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
personnel and improved the devices conversion efficiency by 50%, from 12% to 18%.

AWARDS / PEER RECOGNITION

Associate Member of Madison Whos Who of Executives and Professionals, 2011.
Recognized Team Member: MELCOR-H2, Worlds First Transient Nuclear Reactor-Hydrogen
Generation Design and Analysis Code, by Les. E. Shepard, Vice President, SNL, April 1, 2008.
United States Patent No. 8,073,096: Methods and Apparatuses for Removal and Transport of Thermal
Energy, M. S. El-Genk and J.-M. Tournier, December 6, 2011.
Recognized Team Member: Large-Scale Production of Hydrogen Using Nuclear Reactors, by Les. E.
Shepard, Vice President, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque NM, March 20, 2007.
Reviewer: J. of Heat Transfer, National Heat Transfer Confs., J. of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer,
Space & Nuclear Power & Propulsion Symps., Confs. on Thermo-Physics Applications in Microgravity.
Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF):

Conference Program Coordinator (2008).

Technical Program Committee Member and Technical Sessions Chair (2005 2008).

Awards Committee Member and Judge (1998 2004).

Manuel Lujan, Jr. Best Student Paper Award Recipient (1996).

Outstanding Paper Award Recipient (1998).

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Programming languages:
Object-oriented software:
Desktop publishing:
Website development:
ERP/MRP:

FORTRAN 77 and 95, PASCAL, C and C++, Microsoft Visual Studio

MATLAB, SIMULINK, Solidworks CAD modeling, STAR-CCM+ FEA
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Sun Systems Open Office
HTML, Javascript, WordPress, WIX
Netsuite; I also developed a MRP/CRM online database using TeamDesk.