William L. Roberts, Ph.D.

Faculty

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Current

Location:

Building 5, Level 4, Seaside area, Room No. 4220

Social Profile:

Biography

Dr. William L. Roberts joined KAUST in January, 2012 and was the Director of the Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) from 2014 till 2024. Dr. Roberts received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan. Before joining KAUST, he was a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering in North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA from 1994 to 2011.  Prior to joining NC State, Dr. Roberts worked at NASA Langley and in the Pentagon.

Dr. Roberts is a well-known expert in the field of combustion and is particularly interested in developing cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies for engines and power generation. He has published extensively in leading scientific journals, and his research has been recognized with numerous awards and honors.

Research Interests

Research interests include:

•Experimental combustion, propulsion, and laser-based optical diagnostics for reacting flows.
•The complex interaction between the various length and velocity scales in turbulent flows and the chemical kinetics associated with combustion.  
•Desulfurization of heavy fuel oils and vaporization of vacuum residuals.
•Soot formation and oxidation, particularly with novel fuels and at high pressures.
•Cryogenic carbon and SOx capture from point sources.
•Process intensification of metal recovery in Li ion battery recycling.
•Moving science to technology in a scale and timeframe that maters.

Selected Publications

Education

  • ​Ph.D., Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1992
  • B.S.E, Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 1986

Professional Profile


  • 2022-2028 Combustion Institute Board of Directors, member
  • 2014-2024: Director, Clean Combustion Research Center, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, KSA.
  • 2019  Associate Fellow - American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 
  • 2016  The Springer Professorship, Dept. of ME, University of California-Berkeley  
  • Inaugural Progress Energy Faculty Fellow, Dept. of Mech. & Aero. Eng, 2002.
  • 2012-Present: Professor, Mechanical Engineering program, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, KSA.
  • 1994-2013: Assist., Assoc., and Professor, Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC .
  • 2001-2013: Director, Applied Energy Research Laboratory, NC State University.
  • 1992-1994: Research Engineer, Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co, NASA Langley Program Office, Hampton, VA
  • 1989-1991: Engineer, Environmental Management Sciences, Brighton MI
  • 1987-1989: Aerospace Engineer, Analytical Services (ANSER), Co, Arlington, VA  

Scientific and Professional Membership

  • Chairman for the Eastern States Section of the Combustion Institute, beginning two year term Oct 2011 (previously held Vice-Chair, Program Chair, Papers Chair, Local Arrangements Chair positions)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (senior member, member of Propellants and Combustion TC)
  • American Chemical Society
  • Society of Automotive Engineers

Awards

  • 2022 Combustion Institute Silver Combustion Medal for best paper at 38th International Symposium (best paper out of 1388 accepted papers).
  • 2021 Beacon Lecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing China
  • 2020 Gaydon Award 2020 Fellow-Combustion Institute
  • 2017  Robert Bilger Distinguished Lecturer, 10th ASPACC Meeting, Sydney Australia.
  • Inaugural BASF Undergraduate Research Award, Dept of Mech. & Aero. Eng, 2000.  
  • NSF CAREERs Award recipient 1996.
  • ARO Young Investigators Award recipient, 1995

KAUST Affiliations

  • Mechanical Engineering (KAUST), Clean Combustion Research Center (KAUST)
  • NC State University, Raleigh, NC