Kai James
Dr. Kai A. James joined the faculty in the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech in August 2022. Prior to this, he was a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2015-2022) and a postdoctoral research scientist at Columbia University (2012-2015). Dr. James’ research interests are in the areas of computational mechanics and multidisciplinary design optimization, with a particular focus on problems involving complex, nonlinear structures and mechanisms. He is especially interested in developing novel algorithms that leverage high-fidelity computational models and numerical optimization methods. Some of his major research projects include aerostructural optimization of electric aircraft wings, design synthesis of self-actuating morphable structures containing active materials, and generative adversarial neural networks for design automation. Beyond his technical interests, Dr. James is also passionate about increasing diversity in the STEM fields through outreach to economically disadvantaged students and underrepresented minorities.
Professor James’ teaching interests encompass foundational and advanced courses in aerospace engineering, emphasizing structural mechanics, and computational methods. He engages students at both undergraduate and graduate levels, fostering analytical skills and practical understanding. His instruction integrates theoretical concepts with applied problem-solving, aiming to prepare students for research and professional practice in aerospace disciplines.
Professor James’ research focuses on computational studies in solid mechanical and design optimization. His work investigates complex systems relevant to aerospace applications, including aircraft structures, electrothermal systems, and fundamental mechanical systems. He employs multidisciplinary approaches to enhance understanding of aerodynamic performance and efficiency, contributing to advancements in aerospace systems design and optimization.
Research Website: https://dicelab.ae.gatech.edu/
PhD, University of Toronto, Aerospace Engineering, 2012
- NCSA Faculty Fellow, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, 2021
- Scott White Aerospace Engineering Fellow Award, University of Illinois, Grainger College of Engineering, 2020
- NSF CAREER Award, 2018
- AIAA Teacher of the Year, University of Illinois, Department of Aerospace Engineering, 2017
- P Ranjan, W Zheng, K James, A systematic investigation of Interior Point methods for aerodynamic shape optimization, Aerospace Science and Technology, 110302, 2025
- WB Bello, SRT Peddada, A Bhattacharyya, LE Zeidner, JT Allison, KA James, Multi-Physics Three-Dimensional Component Placement and Routing Optimization Using Geometric Projection, Journal of Mechanical Design, 146(8):081702, 2024
- LR Alacoque, A Bhattacharyya, KA James, Compliant Mechanism Synthesis Using Nonlinear Elastic Topology Optimization With Variable Boundary Conditions, International Journal for Numerical Methods in Engineering, e7613, 2024
- LR Alacoque, RW Bulliet, KA James, Reconstructing the invention of the wheel using computational structural analysis and design, Royal Society Open Science 11(10), 240373, 2024
- A Bhattacharyya, JY Kim, LR Alacoque and KA James, Design Synthesis of a 4D-Printed Self-Tying Knot with Programmable Morphology. Journal of Mechanical Design, 146(6):063303, 2024.