Combustion and explosion specialist fired up for new role
Published on 26 May, 2011
As a postgraduate student in Adelaide, Venelin Stamatov helped with extensive tests required for the fuel-delivering systems of the torch and cauldron used for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Now a lecturer, Dr Stamatov is specialising in the physics of combustion and explosion, laser flow visualisation, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, alternative liquid transport fuels, environmental protection and sustainability of the Australian economy.
The recent arrival at CQUniversity Gladstone has also broadened his research to include mechatronics, which is the combination of mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, computer engineering, control engineering and systems design to create useful products.
Thanks to an interest in alternative energy sparked during his time at Monash University, Dr Stamatov has prepared a concept for a scaled prototype of a solar updraft tower (SUT), which could be based on campus to provide research projects. [A SUT works on the principle that hot air rises. It includes a larger collector area which absorbs solar radiation and heats the air beneath it, creating air flow into a chimney. The air flow energy can be harnessed by a turbine which runs a generator that outputs electricity.]
Born in Bulgaria, he completed his engineering degree in Chemical Technology as a foreign student in the former USSR at the St Petersburg State University of Technology in 1989, studying Physics of Combustion and Explosion, Propellants, Pyrotechnics, Prime and Secondary Explosives, Industrial Explosives, Rocket Fuels and Production of Ammunitions.
Venelin was proud to help with the Olympic torch and cauldron projects
After his arrival in Australia, Dr Stamatov worked at a Proof and Evaluation Establishment for the Australian Department of Defence.
In 2002, he completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide. Since then, he worked at the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Monash University and is now developing new programs in industrial chemistry as part of the Pathways Project at CQUniversity Gladstone.
Dr Stamatov's list of awards and grants includes ARC Discovery grants for the years 2007-09, an ARC-CSIRO Postdoctoral Fellowship for the years 2003-06, an Australian Postgraduate Award for the years 1997-2000, and research and travel grants awarded by Monash University, the University of Adelaide and the Incheon Regional Environmental Technology Development Centre in Korea.
While based at the University of Adelaide, the future doctor Stamatov participated in the extensive tests of the fuel delivering system of the Olympic Torch and Community Cauldron for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. The design team, which included scientists and engineers from the University of Adelaide and FCT Pty Ltd was later awarded with an Engineering Excellence Award by the SA division of the Engineers Australia.
Dr Stamatov is an OzReader (peer reviewer) of the Australian Research Council and a former Research Fellow of the Page Research Centre in Canberra. His professional affiliations include full memberships of the Australian and New Zealand Section of the Combustion Institute and Bioenergy - Australia. Through out his research career he has been professionally affiliated with several research groups, including the Turbulence, Energy and Combustion (TEC) goup from the University of Adelaide and the Laboratory for Turbulence Research in Aerospace and Combustion at Monash University.
Dr Stamatov has an extensive research program that requires active collaboration with scientists from Australian and overseas universities and other research organisations. Currently, he supervises the following scientific projects:
1. Experimental and modelling study of the physics of combustion of alternative multi-component transport fuels;
2. Improving energy and cost efficiency of solar nozzles;
3. Utilisation of the products of the naval stores as fuel for standard diesel engines.
Being a professionally dedicated person, Dr Stamatov has also accepted the responsibilities of an active political life. In 2008, he was honoured to be elected the President of the Melbourne Branch of the National Party of Australia. In 2010, he become a State Councilor of the National Party of Australia - Victoria but has resigned because of his relocation to Queensland.
Dr Stamatov is also Chairperson of the Perpetual Engineering V-Conference (PEV-C) and the Editor-in-Chief of the Research Bulletins of the Australian Institute of High Energetic Materials.