Joseph Lawrence, Ph.D. – Profile
Dr. Joseph Lawrence is an Engineer at Colwell Consulting where he specializes in the engineering analysis of combustion, thermal, and fluid processes, specifically regarding the origin, cause, and propagation of fires and explosions. Dr. Lawrence has investigated fires in a wide range of applications including residential structures, internal combustion motor vehicles, and hybrid motor vehicles. These investigations included fire cause and origin determination, burn pattern interpretation, and evaluation of ignition mechanisms.
Dr. Lawrence has published scientific articles in the areas of detonation wave shaping, shock physics, hot spot initiation and sensitization, cocrystallization, explosive characterization, vibration-assisted printing, and additive manufacturing. Applications of his research include developing safer energetic materials, tailoring detonation wave shapes, the development and evaluation of novel energetic materials, optimization of additive manufacturing techniques, and additive manufacturing of rocket propellants.
Dr. Lawrence has held a graduate research assistant position at Zucrow Laboratories at Purdue University. Dr. Lawrence has also held positions at DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (Aberdeen Proving Ground), Kyocera SGS Precision Tools, and Swagelok
Education
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Ohio Northern University
Licenses, Certificates, and Certifications
Fire Investigation 1A: Fire Origin and Cause Determination, accredited by the California State Fire Marshal
SAE Course PD291808: High Voltage Vehicle Safety Systems
Professional Honors
Advancing Army Modernization Priorities Undergraduate Program Outstanding Mentor, 2022 and 2023
Purdue University Ross Fellowship, 2020
Ohio Northern University Mechanical Engineering Department Honors, 2020
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, 2019
Ohio Northern University Engineering Innovation Award, 2016
Professional Organizations
NFPA 921 Task Group on Vehicle Fire Investigation (2024)
Society of Automotive Engineers International