• Ph.D., 1986 Michigan State University
  
• M.S., 1979 University of Minnesota
  
• B.S., 1977 Iowa State University

Dr. Cole has developed a laboratory at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to study anemometers, hot-film sensors, and properties of thermal protective systems. he has conducted research for Sanida National Laboratories, United Technologies, NASA, and the Army Research Office (ARO). Dr. Cole is co-author of a reference book on heat conduction and maintains a Web site devoted to Green's Functions. Dr. Cole is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and is a registered professional engineer.

Web-based Interactive Green's Functions
Objective: to improve the interactive portion of the Web site, which assembles analytical solutions, on demand, based on user input. The Green's Function Library, established in 1999, is intended for engineers, scientists, mathematicians, geologists, or anyone working with linear differential equations of the diffusion type. For more information, visit http://www.greensfunction.unl.edu.

Hot Film Sensors for Air Flow
Objective: to improve air-flow measurements with flush mounted heat-based sensors. Current work includes wind-tunnel studies, analytical modeling, and data analysis.

Heat Conduction Models for Thermal Measurements
Objective: to find computational efficient models of thermal-measurement geometries. Heat conduction theory based on Green's Functions provides alternate analytical expressions that can be used to verify accuracy and improve computational efficiency.

Inverse Problems and Design of Optimal Experiments
Objective: to determine the best way to measure properties of new materials. With a theoretical model, a variety of simulated experiments can be studied to find the best experimental procedure.

Book:

• Cole, K. D., Beck, J. V., Haji-Sheikh, A., and Litkouhi, B., "Heat Conduction Using Green's Functions," 2nd edition, Taylor and Francis, New York, available in 2010.

Recent Journal Papers:

• Cole, K. D., Tarawneh, C. M., and Wilson, B., "Analysis of Flux-Based Fins for Estimation of Heat Transfer Coefficient", Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, vol. 52, pp. 92 - 99, 2009.
• Cole, K. D., and Crittenden, P. E. "Steady-periodic heating of a cylinder", J. Heat Transfer, vol. 131, p. 091301, 2009.
• Beck, J. V, Wright, N., Haji-Shiekh, A., Cole, K. D., and Amos, D., Conduction in rectangular plates with boundary temperatures specified, Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, vol. 51, pp. 4676 - 4690, 2008.
• Cole, K. D., "Flush-mounted Steady-periodic Heated Film with Application to Shear-stress Measurement", Journal of Heat Transfer, vol. 130, no. 11, p. 111601, 2008.
• Tarawneh, C., Cole, K. D., Wilson, B. M. and Alnaimat, F., "Experiments and Models for Thermal Response of RailroadTapered Roller Bearings", Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, vol. 51, pp. 5794 - 5803, 2008.
• Beck, J. V, and Cole, K. D. "Improving Convergence of Summations in Heat Conduction", Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, vol. 50, pp. 257 - 268, 2007.
• Cole, K. D., "Steady-periodic Green's Functions and Thermal-measurement Applications in Rectangular Coordinates," Journal of Heat Transfer, vol. 128, no. 7, pp. 709 - 716, 2006.
• Crittenden, P. E. and Cole, K. D., "Design of Experiments for Thermal Characterization of Metallic Foams," AIAA J. of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 367-374, 2005.
• Cole, K. D., "Computer Programs for Temperature in Fins and Slab Bodies with the Method of Green's Functions", Computer Applications in Engineering Education, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 189-197, 2004.
• Cole, K. D., "Analysis of Photothermal Characterization of Layered Materials-Design of Optimal Experiments," International Journal of Thermophysics, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 1567-1584, 2004.
• Cole, K. D., "Fast-converging Series for Steady Heat Conduction in the Circular Cylinder", Journal of Engineering Mathematics, vol. 49, pp. 217-232, 2004.
• Cole, K. D., Thermal Characterization of Functionally Graded Materials-Design of Optimal Experiments, AIAA J. of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, vol.18, No. 3, pp. 289-294, 2004.