The Heat is On in the Thermal Science Laboratory

On any given day at Embry-Riddle’s College of Engineering, you’ll find Dr. Sandra Boetcher, professor of Mechanical Engineering, hard at work in the classroom or the Thermal Science Laboratory, where she is the director.

A distinguished researcher, she has shared her expertise in heat transfer and thermo-fluids with students on the Daytona Beach Campus since 2011.

Her innovative approach bridges fundamental science with cutting-edge engineering, combining computational modeling, experimentation and system-level analysis to tackle complex challenges in the field.

Leading the Way in Research

“My research program focuses on heat transfer and thermo-fluids, with an emphasis on phase-change phenomena, thermal energy storage and energy-efficient systems for the built environment and advanced energy applications,” Boecher explained.

“My work bridges fundamental heat-transfer science with applied engineering systems, combining computational modeling, experimentation and system-level analysis to address a wide variety of challenges.”

In her lab, transcritical and supercritical carbon dioxide (tCO2 and sCO2) are being explored for future cooling and energy systems. Boetcher explained that carbon dioxide is a good choice because it's cheap, safe to handle and environmentally benign. With a moderate critical point temperature, it works well for engineering purposes.

When carbon dioxide is near or above its critical point, its specific heat and thermal conductivity (ability to absorb and transfer heat) increase sharply with temperature and pressure. Under the right conditions, carbon dioxide can carry a lot of heat and transfer it quickly, enabling smaller, more efficient cooling and energy systems.

One of the main goals of Boetcher’s research is to absorb heat and move energy in those very small, efficient systems, particularly in electrified aviation and advanced power cycles.

A central theme of her research is the use of solid-to-liquid PCMs (Phase Change Materials) for latent thermal energy storage, within a fundamentally different design framework — making the devices smaller and increasing the surface area relative to volume to improve the efficiency with which heat moves.

She and her student researchers are also developing new, 3D-printed, flexible thermal energy storage systems that can incorporate custom PCMs for different applications, such as nighttime electrical load shifting. Boetcher explained that this technology can be applied to other applications as well.

Mentorship Matters In and Out of the Lab

In both her classroom and lab, Boetcher is committed to fostering her students' growth and confidence. Her personal investment in student success has not only led to transformative research outcomes but has also empowered her students.

Since joining the lab as an undergraduate, Ph.D. student Isabel Melendez (’20, ’22, ’26) has worked under Boetcher’s guidance and has developed into a successful researcher in her own right.

“Dr. Boetcher has made a large impact on my career,” Melendez said. “Her years of experience and extensive technical background come through in every interaction I have with her. She pushes us to think critically while exposing us to a wide variety of projects and applications.”

Boetcher’s mentorship boosted Melendez's confidence and helped her earn the U.S. Department of Energy’s IBUILD Graduate Research Fellowship, which fully funds her Ph.D.

“One of the things I appreciate most about Dr. Boetcher is how deeply she cares about her students — not just as researchers, but as individuals,” Melendez said.

Boetcher’s career path has shaped her view of student success.

“We're always afraid to apply for things. And I just push them to apply to everything,” Boetcher said. “I try to give them permission if they won't give themselves that permission. And then they try, and they win."

Heat Up Your Future

Dr. Boetcher’s innovative work in the Thermal Science Lab not only advances the field but also inspires students to become confident, capable problem solvers, preparing them for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

Learn more about Embry-Riddle’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at our Daytona Beach Campus.