Education

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2015
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 1995
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1993

Teaching Interests

Richard Simmons instructs interdisciplinary energy- and automotive-related courses including Energy Systems Analysis & Design, Renewable Energy, IC Engines, ME2110 and Capstone. His teaching philosophy is to blend fundamentals, experiential learning, research insights, and real-world projects to empower students to solve problems, pose new ones, and think critically.

Research Interests

Simmons conducts research at the intersection of energy systems and advanced mobility. This includes multi-disciplinary investigations into advanced powertrains and fuels, distributed energy resources (e.g., solar, batteries, microgrids), grid integration and optimization, environmental impacts, energy policy, and economics.

Recent Publications

  • Simmons, R., Weed, C., and Rodgers, M. "EVALUATE: Electric Vehicle Assessment and Leveraging of Unified models toward AbatemenT of Emissions, Phases I & II." 2024. https://doi.org/10.7922/G21Z42RG and https://doi.org/10.7922/G2CC0Z1J
  • Gunawan, A., Simmons, R., Haynes, M., Moreno, D., Menon, A., Hatzell, M., Yee, S.K. “Techno-Economics of Cogeneration Approaches for Combined Power and Desalination from Concentrated Solar Power.” Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, 2019. 141(2), 021004. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4042061
  • Simmons, R. “A characterization of the multi-functional value proposition of turbocharged vehicles.” In: Turbochargers and Turbocharging: Advancements, Applications and Research. Ed: Evangelos Giakoumis, Nova Science Publishers, 2017.  ISBN: 978-1-53612-239-8
  • Simmons, R., Shaver, G., Tyner, W., Garimella, S.V. “A benefit-cost assessment of new vehicle technologies and fuel economy in the U.S. market.” Applied Energy, 2015, (157) 940-952. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.01.068
  • Simmons, R. and Garimella, S.V.  “Electric, hybrid and advanced vehicles: finding a lane on the road ahead.”  In: Yan, J. ed. Handbook of Clean Energy Systems. 2015. John Wiley & Sons, pp. 2279-99. 
  • Coyle, E. and Simmons, R. Understanding the Global Energy Crisis, 2014. Purdue University Press. http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purduepress_ebooks/29/