University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering

Michael B Bragg

Michael B Bragg
Michael B Bragg
Professor Emeritus
306 Engineering Hall

For More Information

Education

  • Ph.D., Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1981
  • M.S. Aero. & Astro. Engr., University of Illinois 1977
  • B.S. Aero. & Astro. Engr., University of Illinois 1976

Biography

Dr. Bragg is the Chicago-based executive director of the Grainger College of Engineering’s Chicago Initiatives where he provides leadership to educational, research and outreach activities in the city. Prof. Bragg has held numerous leadership positions in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including head of the aerospace engineering department, associate dean for research and administrative affairs, executive associate dean for academic affairs, and interim dean. Prior to returning to Illinois, he served as the Frank & Julie Jungers Dean of Engineering and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Washington in Seattle. Dr. Bragg is an international expert on the effect of ice accretion on aircraft aerodynamics and flight safety. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics and has received the AIAA Aerodynamics Award and Losey Atmospheric Science Award. In 2017 he received the NASA Public Service Medal and in 2018 was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences. Dr. Bragg is a co-founder of CU Aerospace, a Champaign-based aerospace technology company.

Academic Positions

  • Executive Director, Chicago Initiatives, Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2023 - present
  • Frank and Julie Jungers Dean Emeritus, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, 2019 - present
  • Professor and Professor Emeritus of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Washington, Seattle, 2013 – present
  • Professor Emeritus, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013 - present
  • Frank and Julie Jungers Dean, College of Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, 2013 – 2019
  • Interim Dean, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012-2013
  • Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1995-2013
  • Executive Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2008-2012
  • Associate Dean for Research and Administrative Affairs, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2006-2008
  • Head, Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1999-2006
  • Affiliate Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Urbana-Champaign, 1999-2000
  • Associate Professor and Professor, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (0%), 1994-1999
  • Associate Professor, Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1990-1995
  • Associate Professor, Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1987-1989
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, The Ohio State University, 1981-1987

Other Professional Employment

  • Co-Founder, Bragg and Associates Inc., Chicago IL, 2015
  • Founding Partner, CU Aerospace, Champaign IL, 1998

Research Interests

  • Aircraft icing
  • Aerodynamics

Research Areas

Chapters in Books

  • * Broeren, A.P., and Bragg, M.B., “Unsteady Stalling Characteristics of Thin Airfoils at Low-Reynolds Number,” Proceedings of the Conference on Fixed, Flapping and Rotary Vehicles at Very Low Reynolds Number, Ed. by T.J. Mueller, Notre Dame, IN, June 2000, pp. 396-420.
  • ** Bragg, M.B., “Aircraft Icing,” McGraw-Hill 1999 Yearbook of Science & Technology, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1999, pp. 183-185.
  • ** Bragg, M.B., “The Effect of Ice on Aircraft Aerodynamics” and “Numerical Prediction of Icing Effects on Aircraft,” two chapters of an FAA publication, Aircraft Icing Handbook, DOT/FAA/CT-88/8-1, 1988.

Selected Articles in Journals

  • Broeren, A., Whalen, E., Busch, G., and Bragg, M.B., “Aerodynamics Simulation of Runback Ice Accretion,” Journal of Aircraft , Vol. 47, No.3, 2010, pp. 924-939.
  • Ansell, P., Kerho, M,. and Bragg, M.B., "Stall Warning Using Flap Hinge Moment Measurements," Journal of Aircraft, Vol.48, No.5, 2011, pp. 1822-1824.
  • Campbell, S.C., Bragg, M.B., and Neogi, N.A., “Fuel-Optimal Trajectory Generation for Persistent Contrail Mitigation,” Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics, 2013, Vol.36, pp. 1741-1750.
  • Ansell, P.J. Kerho, M.F., and Bragg, M.B., “Application of a Hinge-Moment-Based Envelope Protection System on a Wing,” Journal of Aircraft, 2014, Vol.51, pp. 2038-2042.
  • Ansell, P.J. and Bragg, M.B., “Measurement of Unsteady Flow Reattachment on an Airfoil with an Ice Shape,” AIAA Journal, 2014, Vol.52, pp. 656-659.
  • Diebold, J.M. and Bragg, M.B., “Wake-Survey Technique for Iced Swept-Wing Aerodynamics,” AIAA Journal, 2015, Vol.53, pp. 1712-1715.
  • Ansell, P.J. and Bragg, M.B., “Characterization of Low-Frequency Oscillations in the Flowfield About an Iced Airfoil,” AIAA Journal, 2015, Vol.53, pp. 629-637.
  • Ansell, P.J. and Bragg, M.B., “Unsteady Modes in Flowfield About Airfoil with Horn-Ice Shape,” AIAA Journal, 2016, Vol.53, pp. 475-486.
  • Fujiwara, G. and Bragg, M.B., “A Method for Designing Hybrid Airfoils for Icing Wind Tunnel Tests,” Journal of Aircraft, 2018, Vol. 56, Issue 2.
  • Fujiwara, G., Bragg, M.B., and Broeren, A.P., “Method for Designing Three-Dimensional Swept Hybrid Wings for Icing Wind Tunnel Tests,” Journal of Aircraft, 2018, Vol. 56, Issue 2.
  • Fujiwara, G., Bragg, M.B., and Broeren, A.P., “Comparisons of Computational and Experimental Ice Accretions of Large Swept Wings,” Journal of Aircraft, 2019, Vol. 57, Issue 2.
  • Broeren, A.P., Bragg, M.B., Addy, H.E., Lee, S., Moens, F., and Guffond, D., “Effect of High Fidelity Ice-Accretion Simulations on Full-Scale Airfoil Performance,” Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 47, No. 1, 2010, pp. 240-254.
  • Broeren, A.P., Busch, G.T., and Bragg, M.B., “Aerodynamic Fidelity of Ice Accretion Aerodynamic Simulation on a Subscale Model,” SAE 2007 Transactions: Journal of Aerospace, Vol. 116, Aug. 2008, pp. 560-575.
  • Busch, G. , Broeren, A.P., and Bragg, M.B., "Aerodynamic Simulation of a Horn-Ice Accretion on a Subscale Model," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 45, No. 2, 2008, pp. 604-613.
  • *Whalen, E.A, Broeren, A.P., and Bragg, M.B., "Aerodynamics of Scaled Runback Ice Accretions," Journal of Aircraft, Vol.45 No.3, 2008, pp. 1076-1088.
  • *Campbell, S., Broeren, A. P., and Bragg, M.B., "Sensitivity of Aircraft Performance to Icing Parameter Variations," Journal of Aircraft, Vol.44, No.5, 2007, pp. 1758-1760
  • *Broeren, A.P., Bragg, M.B., and Addy, H., "Flowfield Measurements About an Airfoil with leading-Edge Ice Shapes," Journal of Aircraft, Vol.43, No.4, 2006, pp. 1226-1234
  • Bragg, M.B., Broeren, A.P., Blumenthal, L., "Iced-Airfoil Aerodynamics," Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 41 (2005) p. 323-362.
  • Whalen, E. and Bragg, M.B., "Aircraft Characterization in Icing Using Flight Test Data," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 42, No. 3, 2005, pp. 792-794.
  • Broeren, A.P. and Bragg, M.B., "Effect of Airfoil Geometry on Performance with Simulated Intercycle Ice Accretions," Journal of Aircraft, Vol.42, No.1, 2005, pp. 121-130.
  • Broeren, A.P., Bragg, M.B., and Addy, H.E. Jr., "Effect of Intercycle Ice Accretions on Airfoil Performance," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2004, pp. 165-174.
  • Lee, S. and Bragg, M.B., "Investigation of Factors Affecting Iced-Airfoil Aerodynamics," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 40, No. 3, 2003, pp. 499-508.
  • Gurbacki, H.M., Bragg, M.B., "Sensing Aircraft Icing Effects by Unsteady Flap Hinge-Moment Measurement," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 38, No. 3, 2001, pp. 575-577.
  • Broeren, A.P., and Bragg, M.B., "Spanwise Variation in the Unsteady Stalling Flowfields of Two-dimensional Airfoil Models," AIAA Journal, Vol. 39, No. 9, 2001, pp. 1641-1651.
  • Dunn, T.A., Loth, E. and Bragg, M.B., "A Computational Investigation of Simulated Large-Droplet Ice Shapes on Airfoil Aerodynamics," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 36, No. 5, 1999, pp. 836-843.
  • Lee, S. and Bragg, M.B., "Experimental Investigation of Simulated Large-Droplet Ice Shapes on Airfoil Aerodynamics," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 36, No. 5, 1999, pp. 844-850.
  • Saeed, F., Selig, M.S., Bragg, M.B. and Addy, H.E., "Hybrid Airfoil Design Procedure Validation of for Full-Scale Ice Accretion Simulation," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 36, No. 5, 1999, pp. 769-776.
  • Henze, C.M. and Bragg, M.B., "Turbulence Intensity Measurement Technique for use in a Icing Wind Tunnel," Journal of Aircraft, No. 3, 1999, pp. 577-583.
  • * Broeren, A.P. and Bragg, M.B., "Flowfield Measurements Over an Airfoil During Low-frequency Oscillations Near Stall," AIAA Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1, 1999. pp. 130-132.
  • Saeed, F., Selig, M.S. and Bragg, M.B., "Hybrid Airfoil Design Method to Simulate Full-Scale Ice Accretion Throughout a Given ∝ Range," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 35, No. 2, 1998, pp. 233-239.
  • Jasinski, B.J., Noe, S.C., Selig, M.S. and Bragg, M.B., "Wind Turbine performance Under Icing Conditions," Transactions of the ASME, Journal of Solar Energy Engineering, Vol. 120, Feb., 1998, pp. 60-65.
  • Saeed, F., Selig, M.S. and Bragg, M.B., "Design of Subscale Airfoils with Full-Scale Leading Edges for Ice Accretion Testing," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 34, No. 1, 1997, pp. 94-100.
  • Kerho, M.F. and Bragg, M.B., "Airfoil Boundary-Layer Development and Transition with Large Leading-Edge Roughness," AIAA Journal, Vol. 35, No. 1, 1997, pp. 75 - 84.
  • Cummings, M.J. and Bragg, M.B., "Boundary-Layer Transition Due to Isolated 3-D Roughness on an Airfoil Leading Edge," AIAA Journal, Vol. 34, No. 9, 1996, pp. 1949 - 1952.
  • Bragg, M.B., Heinrich, D.C., Balow, F.A., and Zaman, K.B.M.Q., "Flow Oscillation over an Airfoil Near Stall," AIAA Journal, Vol. 34, No. 1, 1996, pp. 199-201.
  • Bragg, M.B. and Khodadoust, A., "A Study of the Spray Characteristics of a Subsonic Wind Tunnel," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1995, pp. 199-204.
  • Khodadoust, A. and Bragg, M.B., "Aerodynamics of a Finite Wing with Simulated Ice," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 32, No. 1, 1995, pp. 137-144.
  • Bragg, M.B., Heinrich, D.C., Valarezo, W.O. and McGhee, R.J., "Effect of Underwing Frost on a Transport Aircraft Airfoil at Flight Reynolds Number," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 31, No. 6, 1994, pp. 1372-1379.
  • Kerho, M.F. and Bragg, M.B., "Neutrally Buoyant Bubbles Used as Flow Tracers in Air," Experiments in Fluids, Vol. 16, No. 6, 1994, pp. 393-400.
  • Bragg, M.B. and Wells, S.L, "Effect of Wind Tunnel Walls on Airfoil Droplet Impingement," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 31, No. 1, Jan.-Feb., 1993, pp. 175-180
  • Soltani, M.R. and Bragg, M.B., "Early Vortex Burst on Delta Wings in Pitch," AIAA Journal, Vol. 31, No. 12, Dec. 1993, pp. 2283-2289.
  • Bragg, M.B., Heinrich, D.C. and Khodadoust, A., "A Low-Frequency Flow Oscillation Over Airfoils Near Stall," AIAA Journal, Vol. 31, No. 7, July 1993, pp. 1341-1343.
  • Bragg, M.B. and Mohler, S.R., "Predicting Droplet Impingement on Yawed Wings," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 29, No. 5, Sept./Oct. 1992, pp. 964-966.
  • Bragg, M.B. and Khodadoust, A., "Experimental Measurements in a Large Leading-Edge Separation Bubble Due to a Simulated Ice Accretion," AIAA Journal, Vol. 30, No. 6, June 1992, pp. 1462-1467
  • Bragg, M.B. and Soltani, M.R., "Measured Forces and Moments on a Delta Wing During Pitch-Up," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 27, No. 3, 1990, pp. 262-267.
  • Soltani, M.R., Bragg, M.B. and Brandon, J.M., "Force and Moment Measurements on an Oscillating 70-degree Delta Wing in Subsonic Flow," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 27, No. 3, 1990, pp. 211-217.
  • Bragg, M.B., "Experimental Aerodynamic Characteristics of an NACA 0012 Airfoil With Simulated Ice," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 25, No. 9, 1988, pp. 849-854.
  • Coirier, W.J. and Bragg, M.B., "A Computational Method for Screened Two-Dimensional Wind Tunnel Inlets," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 24, No. 4, 1987, pp. 281-283.
  • Bragg, M.B. and Gregorek, G.M., "Experimental Airfoil Performance with Vortex Generators," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 24, No. 5, 1987, pp. 305-309.
  • Bragg, Michael B., "A Computer Simulation of the Dispersal of Aerial Sprays," Transactions of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers, Vol. 29, No. 1, 1986, pp. 10-15.
  • Bragg, Michael B., Gregorek, Gerald M., and Lee, John D., “Airfoil Aerodynamics in Icing Conditions," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 23, No. 1, January 1986, pp. 76-81.
  • Bragg, Michael B., "Predicting Rime Ice Accretion on Airfoils," AIAA Journal, Vol. 22, No. 3, March 1985, pp. 381-387.
  • Bragg, Michael B., "The Effect of Geometry on Airfoil Icing Characteristics," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 21, No. 7, July 1984, pp. 505-511.
  • Bragg, Michael B., "A Similarity Analysis of the Droplet Trajectory Equation," AIAA Journal, Vol. 20, No. 12, December 1982, pp. 1681-1686.
  • Ormsbee, A.I., Bragg, Michael B., Maughmer, M.D., and Jordan, F.L., "Scaling Wake Particle Interactions for Aerial Applications Research," Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 18, No. 7, July 1981, pp. 592-596.

Patents

  • “Detector Function and System for Predicting Airfoil Stall from Hinge Moment Measurements,” Kerho, M.F., Ansell, P, and Bragg, M.B., patent pending.
  • “Aircraft Surface Contamination Sensing System Using Control Surface Hinge Moment Measurements,” M.B. Bragg and H. M. Gurbacki, patent # 6,140,942, October 31, 2000.

Professional Societies

  • Society of Automotive Engineers: SAE AC-9C Committee on Aircraft Icing, 1985-present - Chairman, 1990-1992; Vice-Chairman/Chairman Elect 1988-1990; Chairman, Subcommittee on Icing Test Facilities, 1988-1997; Organizer, Aircraft Icing Research in Europe Meeting, Zurich, Switzerland, Sept. 1989; Organizing Committee, International Aircraft Icing Meeting, NASA Lewis, 1987
  • Session chair at numerous conferences
  • Fellows selection committee, 2004
  • Applied Aerodynamic Technical Committee, 1996-2002 Surface Roughness Effects on Aircraft Aerodynamics short course, 1998 Technical Chair, 1999 Aerospace Sciences Meeting Vice Chair and Chairman Elect, 1999-2000 Chair, 2000-2002
  • Chairman, National Student Paper Competition, 1991-1993
  • Ground Testing Technical Committee, 1989-1993
  • Technical Activities Committee, 2000-2002
  • Aerospace Department Chairs Association, 1999-2006 - Vice Chair, 2002; Chair, 2003
  • General Chair, Aerosapce Sciences Meeting, 2007
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Applied Aerodynamic Technical Committee, 1996-2002
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Ground Testing Technical Committee, Session Organizer and Session Chairman, AIAA Ground Testing Conference, 1996-2002
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Ground Testing Technical Committee, Chairman, National Student Paper Competition 1991-1993
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Ground Testing Technical Committee 1989-1993
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: General Aviation Systems Technical Committee 1986-1989
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Atmospheric Environment Technical Committee 1983-1986
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Vice-President, Publications 2009-2012
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Chair, Publications Review Committee ???-2011
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Member, Publications Committee 2007 – present
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Subcommittee Coordinator Aerospace Sciences-Applied, 2008 Fellow Grade Selection Committee
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics: Associate Fellow 1992, Fellow 2004 - present

Honors

  • Washington Academy of Sciences elected member (2018)
  • NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal (2016)
  • Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, University of Illinois College of Engineering (2015)
  • Distinguished Alumni Award, Ohio State University College of Engineering (2013)
  • Vice President-Publications and Executive Board Member, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2009-2012)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerodynamics Award (2009-2012)
  • NASA Tech Brief Award (2011)
  • List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2011)
  • General Chair, AIAA Aerospace Science Meeting (2007)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerodynamics Award (2007)
  • University Critical Research Initiatives Award for the Center for Distributed Air Traffic Management (2006)
  • "Incomplete List of Teachers Rated as Excellent by Their Students" (Fall 93, Fall 94, Spring 95, Spring 01, Fall 04, Fall 05)
  • Stanley H Pierce Award, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2004)
  • Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (2004)
  • Advisors List, College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2003)
  • NASA TGIR award "Revolutionize Aviation" to Aircraft Alliance Project Team (2002)
  • NASA TGIR award "Revolutionize Aviation" to AGATE Icing Research Team (2001)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Losey Atmospheric Science Award (1998)
  • University Critical Research Initiatives Award for the Aircraft Icing Research Center (1997)
  • Associate Fellow, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1991)
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Teacher of the Year (1990)
  • Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, Department of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1988)
  • The Ohio State University College of Engineering Research Award (1986)

Teaching Honors

  • List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1993, 1994, 1995, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2011)
  • Stanley H. Pierce Award, College of Engineering, UIUC (2004)
  • College of Engineering Advisors List (2003)
  • “Incomplete List of Teachers Rated as Excellent by Their Students,” (Fall ‘93, Fall ‘94, Spring ’95, Spring ’01, Fall ’04, Fall ‘05)
  • Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Department Teacher of the Year (1990)

Research Honors

  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aerodynamics Award (2007)
  • Fellow, American institute of Aeronuatics and Astronautics (2004)
  • NASA TGIR Award “Revolutionize Aviation” to Aircraft Alliance Project Team (2002)
  • NASA TGIR Award “Revolutionize Aviation” to AGATE Icing Research Team (2001)
  • American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Losey Atmospheric Science Award (1998)
  • UIUC Critical Research Inititives Implementation Grant (1997)
  • Outstanding Recent Alumnus Award, Dept. of Aero. and Astro. Engr., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. (1988 )
  • Ohio State University College of Engineering Research Award, (1986)