Dr. Thomas Hafner is a technical consultant and mechanical engineer focused on the analysis of mechanical systems, products, and components involved in incidents, failures, or other technical issues. He has experience investigating matters involving vehicles, piping systems, plumbing, and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems. He has also conducted analyses related to damaged mechanical equipment and systems, properties, and incidents resulting in personal injuries. Dr. Hafner is proficient in a variety of technologies including three-dimensional (3D) scanning, engineering analysis, prototyping, 3D printing, CAD platforms such as SOLIDWORKS, and programming platforms such as MATLAB.

Dr. Hafner earned a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2023. While at Purdue University, Dr. Hafner had a research focus of energetic materials including solid propellants, explosives, and pyrotechnics. During his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he conducted research focused on computational fluid dynamics as well as served as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate mechanical engineering class. He has authored or co-authored nine different journal or conference papers.

• Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D.: Purdue University (2023)

• Mechanical Engineering, M.S.: Purdue University (2022)

• Mechanical Engineering, B.S.: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2018)

• Engineer Intern: Louisiana (EI.0035674)

• “The Flexoelectric Properties of Various Polymers and Energetic Composites,” Applied Physics Letters, 124, 2024.

• “The Effect of Porosity on Flexoelectricity in 3D Printed Aluminum/Polyvinylidene Fluoride Composites,” Journal of Applied Physics, 134, 2023.

• “The Effect of Porosity on Flexoelectricity in Fluoropolymer/Aluminum Films,” 13th U.S. National Combustion Meeting, 2023.

• “Theoretical Conditions for Burning in Solid Propellant Slots,” Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 48, 2023.

• “Altering the Effective Burning Rate of a Propellant with Shape Memory Alloy,” AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, 2023.

• “Effects of Flexoelectric and Piezoelectric Properties on the Impact-Driven Ignition Sensitivity of P(VDF-TrFE)/nAl Films,” Combustion and Flame, 242, 2022.

• “Piezo-Energetic Composite Film Fabrication and Poling Process for Pressure Sensor Applications,” 45th International Pyrotechnics Society Seminar, 2022.

• “Altering the Impact-Driven Sensitivity and Ignition of PVDF-TrFE/nAl Composite Films with Piezoelectricity,” 12th U.S. National Combustion Meeting, 2021.

• “The Effect of a Spanwise Body Force on Skin-Friction Reduction and its Connections to Low-Drag States in Turbulent Flow,” Proceedings of the ASME 2018 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, 2018.