Fire Science: What Are Photoacoustic Measurements?
In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Autumn and Gabriel explore the innovative intersections of fire science and technology with experts Amy Mensch and Ryan Falkenstein-Smith who work at NIST. They discuss the groundbreaking photoacoustic technique for measuring soot deposition, its applications in fire safety and forensic investigations, and the broader implications for fire research. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating advanced technologies into firefighting and the potential for future developments in the field.
You can learn more about Time at time.gov and NIST at nist.gov.
All opinions are of the individual scientist and do not reflect the opinions of NIST or the federal Government.
About the Guests
Amy Mensch & Ryan Falkenstein-Smith
Amy Mensch, a mechanical engineer in the Engineered Fire Safety Group at NIST. Amy has spent more than a decade working in NIST’s Fire Research Division, where she has tackled a variety of critical topics such as the thermal performance of firefighter equipment, soot and smoke behavior, kitchen cooktop fire prevention, and even the ignition of firebrands—also known as embers—that can spread fires rapidly in wildland settings. Amy is not only at the forefront of fire safety research, but she is also a passionate advocate for women in STEM, playing an active role in affinity groups at both NIST and the Department of Commerce. She also contributes to the broader engineering community through her involvement in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Today, Amy will help us understand the role of soot deposition in fire dynamics and how her work is contributing to better fire safety standards.
Ryan Falkenstein-Smith, a mechanical engineer in the Firefighting Technology Group at NIST. Ryan earned his PhD in mechanical and aerospace engineering from Syracuse University, where he focused on high-temperature membranes for oxyfuel combustion—a key technology in clean energy research. His expertise in high-temperature environments has seamlessly translated into fire research. As a postdoctoral fellow at NIST, Ryan developed validation datasets for pool fire characteristics, which are used to support the International Association of Fire Safety Science’s Measurement and Computation of Fire Phenomena (MaCFP) Working Group. His current work centers on smart firefighting technologies—tools that are transforming the way firefighters respond to emergencies. These include gas extractive devices that can predict backdrafts and non-invasive analytical tools that improve situational awareness in the midst of a fire. Ryan’s focus is on making firefighting not only safer but smarter by integrating advanced technologies into everyday operations.
How to Support Us
Stay Connected: You can find Amy Mensch on her webpage at NIST & Ryan Falkenstein-Smith on his webpage at NIST.
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