Faculty Spotlight: Clarissa Belloni
Where is your hometown?
I was born and raised in Munich, Germany. It actually happens to be the sister city of Cincinnati, OH, where I currently live.
What is your field and what made you pursue it?
In the field of thermal fluid sciences we study flows of fluids (gases / liquids) through and around objects, We also investigate what happens to fluid flows when you for example compress them and heat them up. This field is typically associated with topics related to energy, such as thermal power plants, car engines, and wind turbines, as well as many aspects of aerospace engineering. Originally, I decided to pursue a mechanical engineering degree at the Technical University of Munich with the aim of specializing in mechatronics. However, once I took thermodynamics and fluid mechanics in my second year of study, I had found my true passion.
What brought you to Ohio State?
It was my husband’s job at GE which brought us to Ohio. I have always felt at home in large engineering schools with strong industry connections. Ohio State, and MAE specifically, felt like a great fit for me to further my early academic career. The fact that we have a joint mechanical and aerospace department was especially appealing due to the overlap in thermal-fluids sciences.
What is the focus of your research and why is it significant?
I conduct research in the area of hydro power, both tidal energy as well as novel hydraulic turbines. A lot of effort has been poured into tapping previously unused resources such as tidal streams for energy production while keeping environmental impacts as minimal as possible. While I have always had a passion for technology, I considered studying meteorology or oceanography at various points of my life. Harnessing atmospheric, river or tidal flows for energy extraction using turbomachinery seems like the perfect confluence of my interests.
Why should a prospective student consider your field?
Several sources of energy that were previously deemed too low in energy density or too difficult to extract are currently being investigated. Hence, there is a plentitude of open questions to explore as a student. There are many different disciplines involved in improving energy efficiency, fluid dynamics, lightweight materials, intelligent controls, and more. So even if you are not interested in thermal fluids, you can still work or conduct research for the wind and tidal energy industry.
What do you like most about your job?
It’s the interaction with the students really is the highlight of this job. Every time I am on campus I can feel the energy!
What advice would you give students considering a career in engineering?
Talk to engineers and current engineering students. You will be amazed by the breadth of fields that require engineering and I am confident that you will find a field that you can become passionate about. It is also a degree that is easily transferred internationally. While studying, make sure you acquire skills you can transfer into various industries and roles.
What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of being a professor and researcher?
I love being outdoors, walking, hiking, or running. We have a lot of parks close to where we live in Cincinnati, and going for a quick 40min hike can be so refreshing! I also hope to re-join my local orchestra playing the violin, from which I have taken a long hiatus.
