Andrew A. Frank
- Emeritus Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical design
- Control systems
- Electric-hybrid vehicles
- Internal combustion engine design
- Dynamics of machines
- Automated highways
- Ground transportation systems
Biography
Dr. Andrew A. Frank is an emeritus professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Davis. He spent 10 years in aerospace engineering, working on the X15 hypersonic flight research project that preceded his work on the Apollo moon missions. He then returned to his automotive roots. In 1972, he developed what may have been the first plug-in hybrid car, and set a goal of designing a car that would drive 100 miles on a gallon of gas and also accelerate from 0 to 60 in six seconds or less. His UC Davis students soon became famous in college engineering circles for being the only team that brought plug-in hybrids to Detroit car-of-the-future competitions, winning it 4 times. They have built 12 such cars since 1991, including a Chevy Suburban that won the national Future Truck competition in 2001, he was named one of Automotive News’ first-ever “Electrifying 100” — the most influential people behind the vehicle electrification movement, and is currently recognized as the “father of the modern plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.” Dr. Frank has received 12 patents which are licensed from UC Davis to Efficient Drivetrains Inc. These patents are currently returning revenues and prestige to the University.
EME 107B Experimental Methods (3)
Lecture—2 hours; laboratory—3 hours. Prerequisite: Engineering 100 and 102. Open to Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Science & Engineering and Mechanical/Materials Science & Engineering. Experiments to illustrate principles of mechanical systems. Theory of measurements; Signal analysis; Demonstration of basic sensors for mechanical systems; Experimental project design; Experiments involving voltage measurement; strain gauges, dynamic systems of 0th, 1st and 2nd order.
MAE 258 Hybrid Electric Vehicle System Theory and Design (4)
Lecture—3 hours; laboratory—3 hours. Prerequisite: Mechanical Engineering 150B, graduate standing in Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. Advanced vehicle design for fuel economy, performance, and low emissions, considering regulations, societal demands and manufacturability. Analysis and verification of computer design and control of vehicle systems in real vehicle tests. Advanced engine concepts.
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