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LUAN GARA

Northville, MI ***** 248-***-****

adi501@r.postjobfree.com www.linkedin.com/in/luangara

MECHANICAL & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER

Solution-oriented engineering professional with broad experience in research and product development with solid knowledge of Tribology, Materials Engineering, and Automotive AC Systems. Thrives in innovative and technical environments where project and program requirements are tackled head-on and business and customer objectives are exceeded. AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Friction and Wear tests and analyses through engine tests and bench tests

• Tribology of polymers and lubricant - impregnated polymers

• Surfaces and material characterization with SEM, EDS, XPS, and 3D Optical Surface Profilers

• Tribology of nanomaterials, nanofluids, and ionic nano liquids

• Test Engineering using LabView and DAQ Systems

• Component design and stress analysis with Catia V5

• Developing innovative ideas from CAD drawing to 3D printed, and machined physical models

• HVAC of conventional and electric vehicles with a focus on refrigerant sub-systems

• Cold plate innovation, design and prototyping for HEV/EV electronics and battery cooling systems

• Automotive AC Systems modeling with GT Suite and Ansys

• Test data analysis with Microsoft Excel and VBA including REFPROP EXPERIENCES

HANON SYSTEMS, Novi, Mi 2016 – 2020

Product Development Engineer

Investigated the implementation of impregnated polymers as substitute of standard polymers to eliminate application of grease on HVAC gear kinematics. Developed tools and innovative models from concepts to prototypes utilizing CAD, 3D printers, and machine tools. Led Static Key Life tests, which simulated 10 years life of real-world usage of vehicle AC System, generating up to

$750K revenue per year.

• Developed fundamental and application test concepts, procedures, setups, and unique tools for Bruker UMT TriboLab, identifying new alternative materials for HVAC kinematics design.

• Initiated upgrade of Test Stands utilizing remote monitoring of automated tests enabling fast detection and prevention of issues generated during the test.

• Created an Excel Spreadsheet for quick access to multiple raw data files facilitating process of collecting, comparing, and analyzing data simultaneously from multiple raw data files.

• Established new Key Life Test profiles for belt-driven and e-compressor AC Systems satisfying customers request for 60% time and 50% cost reduction. UNIVERSITY OF PRISHTINA, Pristina, Kosovo 2012 – 2016 Assistant Professor

Taught graduate course - Advanced Engineering Materials, and undergraduate courses - Properties of Materials, Polymers, and Machining Processes. Introduced concept of soft robotics, and ionic nano liquids.

• Improved dispersibility and stability of nanoparticles into liquids by selectin right ionic liquids.

• Supervised sample preparation and testing of friction, wear, and viscosity of ionic nano liquids.

• Prepared test procedures and instructions for testing mechanical properties of materials through tensile, impact, and hardness tests, and metallographic examination of test samples.

• Determined experimentally hardness, creep, and stress relaxation of polymers. 2

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY, Rochester, MI 2005 - 2011

Research Assistant & Teaching Assistant

Conducted experimental investigation of tribological performance of nanofluids through friction and wear tests. Built an atomic scale model to investigate thermal conductivity of nanofluids through Molecular Dynamics Simulation. Performed experimental investigation of oil consumption and wear of cylinder bore in a single cylinder diesel engine.

• Improved dispersibility and stability of nanoparticles as additives in liquids.

• Studied micro and nanostructure of tribological sliding components using optical surface profiler, and electron microscope SEM with EDS and XPS.

• Designed, built, and calibrated an apparatus based on transient hot wire method to test thermal conductivity of liquids.

• Installed engine test setup with NI LabView and DAQ system, examined ring and liner wear, cylinder bore finish, oil consumption, and reported results to the customer.

• Developed a wear volume calculation method based on bearing ratio parameters of surface finish.

• Tutored graduate and undergraduate courses of Statics and Dynamics, Mechanics of Materials, Tribology, Engineering Mechanics, Polymers, and Properties of Materials. EDUCATION

OAKLAND UNIVERSITY Rochester, MI

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, August 2011.

• Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, December 2006. UNIVERSITY OF PRISHTINA Pristina, Kosovo

Diploma Degree in Mechanical Engineering (5-year study program) ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dissertation

Investigation of Thermal Conductivity and Tribological Properties of Nanofluids Master Thesis

Experimental Investigation of Oil Consumption and Wear of the Cylinder Bore in a Single Cylinder Diesel Engine

Publications

Three published paper as first author, and two as co-author in Wear and Tribology Transaction journals.

Paper Reviews

Reviewer for Journal of Nanoparticle Research, Tribology Transactions, Tribology International, and SAE International.

COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES

CATIA V5 Matlab Excel with VBA

AutoCAD GT-Suite Fortran 7

LabView Ansys LAMMPS

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