prof. dr hab. inż. Piotr Wolański

Employment:

  • Institute of Aviation , Warsaw, Poland, since 1992, and since 2019 Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation;
  • Warsaw University of Technology (1966-2016, now retired professor);

Corresponding address:
The Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation
Al. Krakowska 110/114
02-256 Warsaw, POLAND
or
Institute of Heat Engineering
Warsaw University of Technology
Nowowiejska 21/25
00-665 Warsaw, POLAND

Mobile: +48 697-456-450
e-mail: piotr.wolanski@ilot.lukasiewicz.gov.pl
or: piotr.wolanski@pw.edu.pl

Education, degrees:

  • MSc, Eng., Warsaw University of Technology, 1966;
  • PhD, Warsaw University of Technology, 1971;
  • Habilitation, Warsaw University of Technology, 1979;
  • Professor, Nominated by President of Poland, 1989.

Most important subjects of scientific activities:

  • Combustion;
  • Diffusion Ignition;
  • Gaseous, dusty and hybrid detonation;
  • Detonative Propulsion;
  • Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT);
  • Collision of large objects with Earth and Planets;
  • Rocket propulsion.

Past and recent teaching:

  • Fuels and Propellants;
  • Combustion;
  • Aerospace Propulsion;
  • Astronautics;
  • Rocket and Spacecraft Propulsion;
  • Cosmonautics.

Major Scientific achievements and most important publications:

Publications: More than 400 publications in journals and conference papers/proceedings as author or coauthor. H-index: 24


Most important publications concerning different aspects of activities:

Discovery of so-called „Diffusion Ignition”, process of self-ignition of gas flowing out from high pressure installation (tank). Ignition happens due to mixing of hot air (heated in shock wave produced by expanding gas) with cold expanding gas. These days process is extensively studied due to possibility of such ignition in storage of hydrogen in high pressure tanks (for fuel cell cars).

  1. Wolanski, P., Wojcicki S.: ”Mechanism of initiation of explosion during supercritical outflow of gas fuel into atmosphere”, ( In Polish „Mechanizm powstawania wybuchu przy nadkrytycznym wyplywie paliwa gazowego do atmosfery”), Archiwum Procesow Spalania, Vol. 2, Nr 3, 1971, str. 141-155.
  2. Wolanski, : ”Mechanism of synthesis gas explosion during outflow from high pressure installation” (in Polish- Mechanizm powstania wybuchu gazu syntezowego przy wypływie z instalacji cisnieniowej), Chemik, Rok XXV. 1972, Nr. 1. pp.23-27.
  3. Wolański, S. Wójcicki: “Investigation into the Mechanism of the Diffusion Ignition of a Combustible Gas Flowing into an Oxidizing Atmosphere”, Fourteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion, Pittsburgh, 1973, pp. 1217-1223.
  4. Wolański P.: “Forty years of investigation of diffusion ignition”, Proceedings of the Seventh International Symposium on Hazards, Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Vol. I, (2008), pp. 16-22.

Pioneering works on gas dynamic laser with mixing in critical throat of supersonic nozzle (with R.I Solukhin and V. Croshko – during stay at Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in Novosibirsk – 1972). By mixing of gold CO2 with hot N2 in supersonic nozzle of gasdynamic laser significant gain of laser emission is obtained. This work initiated series of research in this field.

  1. Croshko, V.N., Soloukhin, R.I., and Wolanski, P.: „Population Inversion by Mixing in a Shock Tube Flow”, Optics Communications, Vol. 6, Nr 3, 1972, pp. 275-277.
  2. Croshko, V.N., Soloukhin, R.I., and Wolanski, P.: „Population Inversion by Mixing in a Shock Tube Flow”, Recent Developments in Shock Tube Research, Proccedings of the   Ninth   International   Shock Tube Symposium, Stanford University, 1973, pp.167-172.

Research in dust explosion  leading to creation of so-called „School” and initiation of “Dust Explosion Colloquia”. Author and co-author of many pioneering works on initiation and propagation of dust explosions explaining the mechanisms of these processes. Also first experimental evidences of grain dust detonation in air as well as detonation of coal dust layer in oxygen atmosphere. Principal Investigator of many national grants and grant from US Department of Agriculture (1987-1993).

  1. Wolanski, P.: „Explosion Hazards of Agricultural Dust”, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Grain Dust, Manhattan, Kansas, 1979, pp. 422-446.
  2. Wolanski, P.: „Fundamental Problems of Dust Explosion”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Fuel-Air Explosions held at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, November 4-6, 1981, Fuel-Air Explosions, University of Waterloo Press, 1982, pp. 349-374.
  3. Wolanski, P.: „Dust Explosion”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Fuel-Air Explosions held at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, November 4-6, 1981, Fuel-Air Explosions, University of Waterloo Press, 1982, pp. 979-981.
  4. Wolanski, P.: „Gas and Dust Explosion Research in Poland”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Fuel-Air Explosions held at McGill University, Montreal, Canada, November 4-6, 1981, Fuel-Air Explosions, University of Waterloo Press, 1982, pp. 603-621.
  5. Kauffman, C.W., Wolanski, P., Arisoy, A., Adams, P.R., Maker, B.N., and Nicholls, J.A.: „Dust, Hybrid, and Dusty Detonations”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 84, 1984, pp. 221-240.
  6. Wolanski, P., Lee, D., Sichel, M., Kauffman, C.W., and Nicholls, J.A.: „The Structure of Dust Detonations”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 94, 1984, pp. 241-263.
  7. Sichel, M., Baek, S.W., Kauffman, C.W., Maker, B., and Nicholls, J.A., Wolanski, P.: „The Shock Wave Ignition of Dusts”, AIAA Journal, Vol. 23, No. 9, 1985, pp. 1374-1380.
  8. Wolanski, P.: „Detonation in Dust Mixtures”, Proceedings of Shenyang International Symposium on Dust Explosions, Shenyang P.R.C., Sept. 14-16, 1987. pp. 568-598.
  9. Fangrat, J., Glinka, W., Wolanski, P., Wolinski, M.: „Detonation Structure in Organic Dust-Oxygen Mixtures”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 7, No. 3/4, 1987, pp. 321-332.
  10. Kusmierz, A., Wolinski, M., and Wolanski, P.: „Investigation on Coal Gasification in the Detonation Wave”, Reprint of Shock Tubes and Waves, Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Symposium on Shock Tubes and Waves, Aachen, West Germany, July 26-31, 1987, pp. 811-817.
  11. Dahab, O.M., Kapuscinski, M., Wolanski, P., Wolinski, M.: „Detonation Processes in Egyptian Brown Coal Dust – Oxygen Mixtures”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 9, No. 1/4, 1989, pp. 197-204.
  12. Lebecki, K., Sliz, J., Wolanski, P.: „Investigation on Grain Dust Explosions in Large Scale”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 9, No. 1/4, 1989, pp. 291-303.
  13. Dahab, O., Kapuscinski, M., Wolanski, P.: „Influence of Dust Parameters on Detonation Velocity, Structure, and Limits”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 133, 1989, pp. 356-370.
  14. Kauffman, C.W., Sichel, M., Wolanski, P.: „Dust Related Detonations”, A.A. Borissov (ed.), Dynamic Structure of Detonation in Gaseous and Dispersed Media, pp. 267-311. 1991, Kluwer Academic Publisher.
  15. Wolanski, P.: „Detonation of Organic Dust-Air Mixtures”, Proceedings of the Twentieth International Pyrotechnics Seminar, 25-29 July 1994, IIT Research Institute, Chicago, USA, pp. 1109-1120.
  16. Wolanski, P.: „Dust Explosions”, KONA Powder and Particle, No. 14, 1996, pp. 144-152.
  17. Korobeinikov, V. P., Semenov I.V., Klemens, R., Wolanski, P., Kosinski, P., Markov, V.V., Men’shov, I.S.,:”On Combustion and Detonation Behind Shock Wave Propagation over a Dust Layer”, Control of Detonation Processes, (2000), Elex-KM Publishers Ltd., pp.44-48.
  18. Wolański P., Kobiera A., “Ignition of liquid and dust fuel layers by gaseous detonation”, Shock Waves, (2003), Vol. 12, nr 5, pp. 413-419.

Extensive pioneering research in detonation including: influence of obstacles on transition to detonation, influence of inert dust on transition into detonation in gaseous mixtures and detonation of hybrid mixtures. Effects of obstacles (size and shape) on accelerating transition into detonation were shown for the first time, as well as the effect on course inert particles (send, etc.) on significant acceleration of transition into detonation. Addition of relatively large inert particles create increased micro turbulence of mixture and significantly accelerate flame. At high Mach number particles produce extra hot spot facilitating ignition of the mixture and transition into detonation. Also pioneering research on detonation of hybrid mixtures (combustible dust and gas and liquid droplets, vapor and air).

  1. Klimkin, V.F., Soloukhin, R.I., and Wolanski, P.: „Initial Stages of a Spherical Detonation Directly Initiated by a Laser Spark”, Combustion and Flame 21, 1973, pp. 111-117.
  2. Wolanski, P., Wojcicki, S.: „On the mechanism of influence of obstacles on the flame propagation”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 1, No. 1/2, 1981, pp.69-74.(also presented at 6th ICDERS in Stockholm, 1977).
  3. Levin, V.A., Chernyi, G.G., Teodorczyk, A., Wolanski, P., Wojcicki, S., : „The initiation of a detonation in H2 – Cl2 mixture”, Archivum Termodynamiki  I Spalania, Vol. 9 (1978), pp.613-622.
  4. Wolanski, P., Kauffman, C.W., Sichel, M., Nicholls, J.A.: „Detonation of Methane-Air Mixtures”, Eighteenth Symposium (International) on Combustion, at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada, August 17-22, 1980, Organized by The Combustion Institute, Pittsburgh, 1981, pp. 1651-1660.
  5. Wolinski, M., Wolański, P.: „Transition into Detonation in Gaseous Mixtures in the Presence of Inert Particles”, First International Colloquium on Explosibility of Industrial Dusts, Part 1, Baranów, 8-10.XI.1984, pp.196-207.
  6. Wolinski, M., Wolanski, P., Myers, R.M., Kauffman, C.W., Sichel, M., and Nicholls, J.A.: „Influence of Inert Particles on Deflagration-Detonation Transition in Gas Mixtures”, Proceedings of the Ninth International Pyrotechnic Seminar, Colorado Springs, 1984, pp. 861-872.
  7. Siwiec, S., Wolanski, P.: „Detonation cell structure in CH4-air mixture at high pressure”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 4, No. 3, 1984, pp. 249-253.
  8. Wolinski, M., Wolanski, P.: „Gaseous Detonation Processes in Presence of Inert Particles”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 7, No. 3/4, 1987, pp. 353-370.
  9. Wolanski, P., Liu, J.C., Kauffman, C.W., Nicholls, J.A., and Sichel, M.: „The Effects of Inert Particles on Methane-Air Detonations”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1988, pp. 15-32.
  10. Wolanski, P.: „Influence of non-isentropic processes on transition from deflagration to detonation in combustible mixtures”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 11, No. 3-4, 1991, pp. 143-149.
  11. Cudzilo, J. Paszula, R. Trebinski, W.A. Trzcinski, P. Wolanski,: “ Studies of afterburning of TNT detonation products in confined explosions”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 17 (1997) No.1-4, pp.129-144.
  12. Frolov, S.M., Noskov, M.A., Wolanski, P.: „Auto-Ignition in Near-Wall Boundary Layer as a Cause of Deflagration to Detonation Transition”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 14, No. 1-2, 1994, pp. 65-72.
  13. Detkovskii, D.A., Frolov, S.M., Furmanski, P., Wolanski, P.: „Zero-Dimensional Thermochemical Model  of    Pulsed Jet  Combustion”,  Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 14,  No. 1-2,   1994, pp. 111-118.
  14. Noskov, M.A., Frolov, S.M., Wolanski, P.: „The Effect of Non-Isentropic Processes on Deflagration to Detonation Transition in Gaseous Combustible Mixtures”, Proceedings of the ZEL’DOVICH MEMORIAL, International Conference on Combustion, Vol. 2, Moscow, 12-17 September 1994, pp. 370-376.
  15. Wolanski, P.: „Influence of Obstacles and Inert Particles on Transition to Detonation in Gaseous Combustible Mixtures”, Proceedings of the Japan-Central Europe Joint Workshop on Advanced Computing in Engineering, September 26-29, 1994, Pultusk, Institute of Fundamental Technological Research PAS, Warsaw, 1994, pp. 13-25.
  16. Trzciński W., Paszula J., Wolański P.: “Thermodynamic Analysis of Afterburning of Detonation Products in Confined Explosions”, Journal of Energetic Materials, (2002), Vol. 20, nr 3; pp.195-222.
  17. Kobiera A., Wolański P., „Modelling of ignition of PETN layer by gaseous detonation”, Archivum Combustionis, (2003), Vol. 23, No. 3-4 str. 147-168.
  18. Kuhl A., Cudziło S., Trzciński W., Wolański P.: „Detonations of Hexane Vapour /Droplets-Air Mixtures. Part I. Preparatory analyses and tests”, Archivum Combustionis, (2003), Vol. 23, No. 1-2 str. 3-11.
  19. Kuhl A., Cudziło S., Trzciński W., Wolański P.: „Detonations of Hexane Vapour /Droplets-Air Mixtures. Part II. Initiation and parameterization”, Archivum Combustionis, (2003), Vol. 23, No. 3-4 str. 95-109.
  20. Kuhl A., Cudziło S., Wolański P.: „Detonations of Hexane Vapour /Droplets-Air Mixtures. Part III. Influence of droplet diameter”, Archivum Combustionis, (2003), Vol. 23, No. 3-4 str. 111-127.

Studies of collision of large asteroids with Earth. Theoretical analysis and numerical calculations of the effects of collision of large asteroids with Earth. Presentation of the hypothesis of origin of the Moon by collision of large asteroid with Earth and development of the Theory of Origin of Continents as a result of similar collision.

  1. Wolanski, P.: „Oznaki Ziemskiego Pochodzenia Księżyca”,(Evidences of the Origin of the Moon from the Earth – In Polish); Geofizyka, Nr 1, Warszawa, 1976, str. 5-25.
  2. Wolanski, P.: „Origin of the Moon by Collision”, Postepy Astronautyki, Nr 1, 1977, str. 7-26.
  3. Jach, K., Wolanski, P.: „Computation of the collision of a large asteroid with the primordial earth”, Shock Waves, Proceedings of the 18th International Symposium on Shock Waves, Held at Sendai, Japan 21-26 July 1991, pp. 409-414.
  4. Wolanski, P.: „The Origin of Continents”, Postepy Astronautyki, T. 24, Nr 1-2, 1992, pp. 69-85.
  5. Jach, K., Mroczkowski, M., Wolanski, P.: „Computation of the Effect of Collision of Large Asteroids with the Earth”, Proceedings of All Union Conference on Asteroid Hazard, St. Petersburg,1992, pp. 85-90, (in Russian).
  6. Wolanski, P.: „Collision of a Large Asteroid with Primordial Earth and the Origin of the Continents”, Proceedings of All Union Conference on Asteroid Hazard, St. Petersburg, 1992, pp. 157-164, (in Russian)).
  7. Jach, K., Mroczkowski, M., Swierczynski, R., Wolanski, P.: „Numerical Calculations of Dynamical Effects of High Velocity Collisions”, Proceedings of the Japanese-Polish Joint Seminar on Advanced Computer Simulation, Toranomon Pastoral, Tokyo, November 8-9, 1993, pp. 39-51.
  8. Jach, K., Leliwa-Kopystynski, J., Mroczkowski, M., Swierczynski, R., and Wolanski, P.: „Free particle modelling of hypervelocity asteroid collisions with the Earth”, Planet. Space Sci., Vol. 42, No. 12, 1994, pp. 1123-1137.

Research of application of Pulsed Jet Ignition (PJS) into Internal Combustion Engines; Extensive research of jet ignition of lead mixture in engine like conditions; modeling studies and research on experimental IC engine (in cooperation with A.K. Oppenheim).

  1. Abdel-Mageed, S.I., Lezanski, T., and Wolanski, P.: „Performance of a Pulsed Jet Combustion System in a Swirl and a Turbulent Field”, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Vol. 152, 1991 (1992), pp. 332-342.
  2. Gmurczyk, G., Lezanski, T., Kesler, M., Chomiak, T., Rychter, T and Wolanski, P.: „Single Compression Machine Study of a Pulsed Jet Combustion (PJC)”, Twenty-Fourth Symposium (International) on Combustion / The Combustion Institute, 1992, pp. 1441-1448.
  3. Lezanski, T., Kesler, M., Rychter, T., Teodorczyk, A., and Wolanski, P.: „Performance of Pulsed Jet Combustion (PJC) System in a Research Engine”, SAE Paper 932709, 1993, pp. 1-6.
  4. Wolanski and A.K. Oppenheim,: “Controlled Combustion Engines”, in Jet Ignition for Control of the Exothermic Process of Combustion in IC Engines”, Wydawnictwo “Akapit”, Krakow, 1998 pp. 9-18.
  5. Detkovskii, D.A., Frolov, S.M., Furmanski, P., Wolanski, P.: „Zero-Dimensional Thermochemical Model  of    Pulsed Jet  Combustion”,  Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 14,  No. 1-2,   1994, pp. 111-118.
  6. Detkovskii, D.A., Frolov, S.M., Furmanski, P., Wolanski, P.: „Thermochemical Model of a Two-Stage Combustion Process in the Concept of Pulsed Jet Combustion”, Proceedings of the ZEL’DOVICH MEMORIAL, International Conference on Combustion, Vol. 2, Moscow, 12-17 September 1994, pp. 238-243.
  7. Wolanski, P.: „Application of Pulsed Jet Combustion to Internal Combustion Engines”, in Dynamics of Exotermicity, J.Ray Bowen Ed., Gordon and Breach Publications, 1996, pp.131-150.
  8. Wolanski, P.,Gut, Z.,Niedziela, W.,Przastek, J., and Siwiec, S.:” Study of Combustion Dynamics in the Research Engine”, SAE Paper 972829, w ksiazce „Engine Diagnostics”, SAE, SP-1301 (1997), pp.49-53.
  9. Wolanski,P., Dabkowski, A., Przastek, J.,:” Influence of PJC Ignition on Efficiency and Emission of IC Piston Engine Operating at Partial and Full Load”, SAE Fuel and Lubrication Meeting, SAE Paper 972871.
  10. Wolański, Ed.:” Jet Ignition for Control of the Exothermic Process of Combustion in IC Engines”, Wydawnictwo “Akapit”, Kraków, 1999.
  11. Wolanski, P., Oppenheim A.K.: “Controlled Combustion Engines”, (1999) SAE Paper 990324.

Development of the new jet engine based on Continuous Rotating Detonation (or Rotating Detonation Engine) RDE, with Mitsubishi, Nagoya University – Japan; Main author of the idea. Patented with Prof. T. Fujiwara and Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Ltd. Also pioneering studies of RDE at the Institute of Heat Engineering of Warsaw University of Technology and at the Institute of Aviation. International cooperation with Japan, Singapore, Russia and China.

  1. Wolanski P., Kindracki J., Fujiwara T.: „An Experimental Study of Small Rotating Detonation Engine”, Proceedings of Fifth International Colloquium on Pulsed and Continuous Detonations, (2006), pp. 332-338.
  2. Hishida M., Fujiwara T. and Wolanski P.,: “Fundamentals of rotating detonation”, Shock Waves. 19 pp.1-10, (2009).
  3. Fujiwara T., Hishida M., Kindracki J., Wolanski P.,: „Stabilization of Detonation for Any Incoming Mach Numbers”; Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 603–605, 2009.
  4. Yi T-H., Turangan, C., Lou J., Wolanski P., and Kindracki J., : “A Three-Dimennsional Numerical Study of Rotating Detonation in Annular Chamber”, AIAA Paper 2009-634, Aerospace Sciences Meeting, Orlando, Fl. 2009.
  5. Wolanski P.,: “Development of the continuous rotating detonation engines”, in “Progress in Pulsed and Continuous Detonations», edited by G.D. Roy and S.M. Frolov, Moscow, Torus Press, 2010, pp.395-406.
  6. Wolański P.,:” “Detonation Engines”, Paper, Journal of KONES, Vol.18 (2011), No.3  pp.515-521.
  7. Wolański P., “Detonative Propulsion”, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute, Elsevier 34 (2013) 125-158.
  8. Wolański P., Kawalec M., Kalina P.,: „Zintegrowany silnik rakietowo-strumieniowy”, Prace IL, Nr 1 (234) 2014, str.104-108.
  9. Wolański P., “Research on the Application of Continuous Rotating Detonation to Gas Turbine”; JOURNAL of Polish-American Science and Technology, Vol 9, 2015, pp.15-48.
  10. Piotr Wolański, Piotr Kalina, Włodzimierz Balicki, Artur Rowiński, Witold Perkowski, Michał Kawalec, Borys Łukasik,: „Development of gasturbine with detonation chamber”, Detonation Control for Propulsion, Springer, 2017, pp 23-37.
  11. Kublik, J. Kindracki, P. Wolański,,: „Evaluation of wall heat loads in the region of detonation propagation of detonative propulsion combustion chambers”, Applied Thermal Engineering 156 (2019) 606–618.
  12. Piotr Wolański, Włodzimierz Balicki, Witold Perkowski and Adam Bilar,:” Experimental Research of Liquid Fueled Continuously Rotating Detonation Chamber”, ICDERS (2019), also Shock Waves, (in press).
  13. Piotr Wolański: “RDE research and development in Poland”, ICDERS (2019), also Shock Waves, (in press).

Development of optical methods and high speed photography of flame and explosion research. Design of four Schlieren systems (150 – 300 mm in diameter), two interferometric systems (Michelson and Mach-Zender), high speed laser stroboscopic photography, drum cameras, etc. Also development of modern 3-D flame visualization techniques by means of Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) for burners and jet engines applications (Pratt & Whitney expressed interest  to apply it).

  1. Klimkin, V.F., Wolanski, P.: „Laserowa fotografia smugowa” (Laser Schlieren Photography – In Polish), Archiwum Termodynamiki i Spalania, Vol. 10, Nr 4, 1979, str. 637-643.
  2. Boiko, V.M., Papyrin, A.N., Poplavski, S.V., Wolanski, P., Zalesinski, M.: „ High-Speed Laser Photography of the Mixture Formation During Interaction of a Shock Wave with a Liquid Layer and a Dust Layer”, III Miedzynarodowa Szkola Wybuchowosci Pylow Przemyslowych, Turawa, 5-7.XI. 1982, pp. 53-64 (in Russian).
  3. Bedzinski, R., Jankowski, A., Jankowski, L.J., Wolanski, P.: „Application of Optical Methods to Investigation of Charge Conditioning and Combustion”, Archivum Combustionis, Vol. 14, No. 3-4, 1994, pp. 155-165.
  4. Wolanski, P., Gut, Z., Trzcinski, W.A., Szymanczyk, L., Paszula, J.,:”Vizualization of turbulent combustion of TNT Detonation products in a steel vessel”, Shock Waves (2000) vol.10, pp.127-136. 5.
  5. Wolański P., Gut Z.,: “Flame Imaging Using 3-D Electrical Capacitance Tomography”, Combustion Science and Technology, Volume 182, Issue 11 & 12, pp.1580-1585, November 2010.

Publications related to space explorations and rocket propulsion:

  1. Wolański P., Banaszkiewicz M., Kłos Z., Ziółkowski J., Zdziarski A., „Udział Polski w badaniach kosmicznych”,( “Polish participation in space research,”) Kwartalnik „Nauka”, tom 3/2008, Polska Akademia Nauk, 2008, str. 65-79.
  2. Wolański P.,: “Polish Contribution  to Space Research”;  Pol J Aviat Med Psychol 2013; 19(3): 45-52.
  3. Wiśniowski W., Wolański P.,: „Rola Instytutu Lotnictwa w Badaniach Kosmicznych”,(“The role of the Institute of Aviation in Space Research”), Prace IL, Nr 1 (234) 2014; str. 9-16.
  4. Wolański P., „Development of green propulsion systems for satellites and small rockets”; Journal of Polish-Brazilian Science and Technology, Vol 1, 2015, pp.50-71.
  5. Xie, Q. and Wolanski, P. and Luy, T.,: “Theoretical analyses of performance of the integrated rocket-ramjet engine”, Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, (2013) ,Vol.10, Pages 7674-7680.
  6. Adam Okninski, Bartosz Bartkowiak, Kamil Sobczak, Dominik Kublik, Pawel Surmacz, Grzegorz Rarata, Blazej Marciniak and Piotr Wolanski, : „Development of a Small Green Bipropellant Rocket Engine Using Hydrogen Peroxide as Oxidizer”, AIAA 2014-3592, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2014-3592
  7. Wolański P., „Development of green propulsion systems for satellites and small rockets”; Journal of Polish-Brazilian Science and Technology, Vol 1, 2015, pp.50-71.
  8. Adam Okninski, Jan Kindracki, Piotr Wolanski,:” Multidisciplinary optimisation of bipropellant rocket engines using H2O2 as oxidiser”, Aerospace Science and Technology, Vol. 82–83, (2018), Pages 284-293, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2018.08.036;
  9. Okninski, A. and Kindracki, J. and Wolanski, P.,: “Rocket rotating detonation engine flight demonstrator”, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, (2016), Volume 88, Issue 4, Pages 480-491;
  10. Pawel Nowakowski, Adam Okninski, Michal Pakosz, Dawid Cieslinski, Bartosz Bartkowiak, Piotr Wolanski,:” Development of small solid rocket boosters for the ILR-33 sounding rocket”, Acta Astronautica, Vol.138, (2017), Pages 374-383, doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.06.007;
  11. Jan Kindracki, Karolina Tur, Przemysław Paszkiewicz, Łukasz Mężyk, Łukasz Boruc, Piotr Wolański,:” Experimental research on low-cost cold gas propulsion for a space robot platform”, Aerospace Science and Technology, Vol. 62, (2017), Pages 148-157, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2016.12.001;
  12. Mezyk, L. and Gut, Z. and Paszkiewicz, P. and Wolanski, P. and Rarata, G,: “Research on thermal decomposition of hydrogen peroxide for low thrust propulsion system application”, Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, (2017), Vol. 14, ,Pages 9196-9202;
  13. L. Mezyk, Z. Gut, P. Paszkiewicz, P. Wolanski, G. Rarata,: “Possibility of Using Thermal Decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide For Low Thrust Propulsion System Application”, 7th EUDASS (2017) , DOI: 10.13009/EUCASS2017-626,
  14. P. Surmacz, G. Rarata and P. Wolański,:” The Development of a Propulsion System for Small Satellites in LEO Missions”  2nd IAA Conference on Space Systems as Critical Infrastructure (2013) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283215787,
  15. Pawel Nowakowski, Michal Pakosz, Adam Okninski, Damian Rysak, Damian Kaniewski, Blazej Marciniak, Pawel Surmacz, Anna Kasztankiewicz, Miroslaw Szczepanik, Andrzej Matlok and Piotr Wolanski,: ”Design of a Solid Rocket Motor for Controlled Deorbitation”, AIAA 2017-5083, https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2017-5083;
  16. Surmacz, P., Sobczak, K., Bartkowiak, B., Rarata, G., Okninski, A., Mayer, T., Wolanski, P., Bel, F.V.,:” Development status of 500 N – Class HTP/TMPDA Bi-propellant rocket engine”, Proceedings of the 69th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2018; Bremen; Germany; Code 147415;
  17. Surmacz, P. and Rarata, G. and Sobczak, K. and Bartkowiak, B. and Okninski, A. and Wolanski, P. and Bel, F.V.,: “Experimental evaluation of a catalyst bed based on MnxOy/Al2O3 catalyst for decomposition of 98% hydrogen peroxide”, 53rd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, (2017); Code 195549,
  18. Sobczak, K. and Surmacz, P. and Bartkowiak, B. and Okninski, A. and Rarata, G. and Kublik, D. and Wolanski, P. and Bel, F.V, : “Test campaign of a green liquid Bi-propellant rocket engine using catalytically decomposed 98% hydrogen peroxide as oxidizer”, 2017, 53rd AIAA/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference, (2017); Code 195549;
  19. A. Okniński, P.  Surmacz, B. Bartkowiak, T. Mayer, K. Sobczak, M. Pakosz, D. Kaniewski, J. Matyszewski, G. Rarata and  P. Wolański,:” Development of Green Storable Hybrid Rocket Propulsion Technology Using 98% Hydrogen Peroxide as Oxidizer”. Aerospace 2021, 8(9), 234; (2021) doi: 10.3390/aerospace8090234

Books, Monographs and books chapters:

  1. Wolański, P.: „Dynamika zapłonu mieszanin gazowych” („Dynamics of Gas Mixture Ignition” – in Polish), Prace Naukowe Politechniki Warszawskiej/Mechanika, Z. 55, 1978.
  2. Ostrowski T. and Wolanski P.(Ed.): ”First National School on Explosibility of Industrial Dusts”  (Pierwsza Krajowa Szkoła Wybuchowości Pyłów Przemysłowych), November 14-16, 1978, Karpacz, Poland, Published by Dept. of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 1979.
  3. Wolanski P., Zdanowski M. and Fangrat J. (Ed.) : “First International Colloquium on Dust Explosions”, Book of Papers, Part-1 and Part-2,  Baranów, 8-10. XI.1984; Published by Pracownia Poligraficzna ZG SBG KGSP.
  4. Antas, S., Wolański, P.: „Obliczenia termogazodynamiczne lotniczych silników turbinowych” („Thermogasodynamic Calculations of Aircraft’s Turbine Engines” – in Polish), Wydawnictwo Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa 1989.
  5. Gmurczyk G., Klemens R., and Wolański P., (Ed.): “Proceedings of the Fourth  International Colloquium on Dust Explosions”, Porąbka-Kozubnik4-9 November 1990. Oficyna Wydawniacza Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa, 1991
  6. Kauffman, C.W., Sichel, M., Wolanski, P.: „Dust Related Detonations”, A.A. Borissov (ed.), Dynamic Structure of Detonation in Gaseous and Dispersed Media, pp. 267-311. 1991, Kluwer Academic Publisher.
  7. Wolański P. (Ed.): Proceedings of the Fifth International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Pułtusk, 19-22 April, 1993; Oficyna Wydawniacza Politechniki Warszawskiej, Warszawa, 1993.
  8. Deng Xufan and Piotr Wolański (Ed,): “ Proceedings of the 6-th International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Shenyang, P.R.C. August 29-September 2, 1994. Northeastern University Press, Shenyang, P.R. China,
  9. Wolanski, P.: „Application of Pulsed Jet Combustion to Internal Combustion Engines”, in Dynamics of Exotermicity, J.Ray Bowen Ed., Gordon and Breach Publications, 1996, pp.131-150.
  10. Słupek St., Wolański P.(Ed.), “II Seminarium Naukowe Procesów Spalania, Prace seminarium”, Wyd. “Akapit”, Kraków 1997, ISBN 83-7108-037-9.
  11. Wolański, P., Ed.:” Jet Ignition for Control of the Exothermic Process of Combustion in IC Engines”, Wydawnictwo “Akapit”, Kraków, 1999.
  12. Wolański, P. Ed.:”Problemy spalania w silnikach spalinowych” („Problems of Combustion In Internal Combustion Engines” – in Polish), PAN, PIS, Kraków 2000.
  13. Frolov S.M., Zhang R., Wolanski P., Ed.,: “Explosion Dynamics and Hazards”, TORUSS PRESS 2010, 512p. ISBN 978-5-94588-079-5.
  14. Wolański P.,” Moja działalność kosmiczna-wspomnienia”, Wydawnictwa Naukowe Instytutu Lotnictwa, Warszawa, 2019.
  15. Wolański, P. Ed.: “Research on detonative propulsion in Poland”, Institute of Aviation Scientific Publication No. 60, Warsaw: Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation, 2021. ISBN 978-83-63539-45-0.

Organizational activities: 

Organized scientific conferences:

  • ICDERS – Warszawa, 1987;
  • ICDERS – Kraków, 1997;
  • First International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Baranów, 1984;
  • Second International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Jadwisin, 1986;
  • Third  International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Szczyrk, 1988;
  • Fourth  International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Porąbka-Kozubnik,1990;
  • Fifth International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Pułtusk, 1993;
  • Sixth International Colloquium on Dust Explosions, Shenyang, Chiny, 1994;
  • International Workshop on Detonation Propulsion, IWDP 2014, Institute of Aviation, Warsaw, 2014, Poland.
  • Tenth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Bergen,Norwegia, 2014;
  • Eleventh  International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Dalian, Chiny, 2016.

Chairman of Scientific Committee of the conferences:  

  • First International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Bergen,  Norway, 1996;
  • Second International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Shamburg,  USA, 1998;
  • Third International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Tsukuba,  Japan, 2000;
  • Fourth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Nancy,  Francja, 2002;
  • Fifth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Kraków, Polska 2004;
  • Sixth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Halifax, Kanada, 2006;
  • Seventh Fourth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Sankt Petersburg, Rosja 2008;
  • Eight International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Yokohama,  Japan, 2010;
  • Ninth International Symposium on Prevention and Mitigation of Industrial Explosions, Kraków,  Polska, 2012.

Most important Patents:

  1. Tobita  A.,  Fujiwara T., and  Wolanski P.,: “Detonation engine and flying object provided therewith”; Publication data: 2005-12-29; Japanese Patent, No. 2004-191793 (granted in  2009) Patent US 2005_0904A/AND/01983 (przyznany w 2010).
  2. „Rechabilitacyjny kostium kąpielowy” (Re-rehabilitation swimsuit), UPRP. Nr. P.387341; 25-02-2009 (współautor-coauthor),
  3. Klemens R., Gieras M., Wolański P., : „Urządzenie do samoczynnego tłumienia wybuchów”,(A device for automatic suppression of explosions ), Patent nr 212055 (2012).
  4. Gieras, R. Klemens, J. Nowaczewski,  P. Wolański patent no. P 304.626, „Gaśnica  proszkowa”, (Powder Extinguisher). UPRP Nr. P.304.626, 12-08-1994.
  5. Bing Wang, Qiaofeng Xie, Piotr Wolański and Grzegorz Rarata: New system of Explosion/Detonation Suppression Pending; Patent; No:2016108915154/2016211179503 (STATE  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF THE P.R.C).
  6. Wolański P.: „Kanał dolotowy z przepływem zwrotnym do komory spalania z wirującą detonacją” (Intake channel with return flow for the combustion chamber with rotating detonation). Patent nr: 226756,
  7. Wolański P., Kalina, P., Balicki, W. i Rowiński, A. „Gazodynamiczny zawór zwrotny do komory spalania z wirującą detonacją.” (Gas-dynamic Check Valve for Combustion Chamber with Rotating Detonation). Patent No. 226757.
  8. Wolański P., A. Okniński,: Ziarno materiału pędnego do silnika rakietowego o wydłużonym czasie pracy, P.423902, 2017-12-14. (Solid fuel grain for rocket engine with extended working time).
  9. Kawalec, M. i Wolański, P. ”Detonacyjna komora spalania o ustalonym kierunku wirowania.” (Detonation Combustion Chamber with Fixed Direction of Rotation). Patent No. 237095.
  10. Wolański, P. „Kanał dolotowy z przepływem zwrotnym do komory spalania z wirującą detonacją” (Intake Channel with Return Flow forthe Combustion Chamber with Rotating Detonation). Patent No. 226756.
  11. Wolański P., Balicki W., Kalina P., Perkowski W.,: „Injector of an over-enriched fuel-and-air mixture to the combustion chamber of internal combustion engines”. EU Patent No.3434979, US Patent Applications No. 16/044,387,

Submitted patents (Patents applications)

  1. Wolański P., Kawalec M.,: “Konstrukcja rakietowych silników detonacyjnych na ciekłe materiały pędne z dyszą „Aerospike””, (Design of the Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine with an Aerospike Nozzle), submitted March 20211, reference No. 89P48281PL00,
  2. Wolański P., Kawalec M.,: “Detonacyjna komora spalania wstępnego do silnika rakietowego na paliwo płynne”, (Preburner detonative chamber for Liquid Rocket Engines), submitted on 15-07-2021, Reference No. EMP.2369.00,

Most Important Awards:

  • Golden Cross of Merit, awarded by the President of Poland for the outstanding twenty  years work in education-1987;
  • Recipient of the A.K. Oppenheim Price, ICDERS, in Ann Arbor, USA, for   brilliant contribution to explosion science-1989;
  • Recipient of the Dionizy Smolenski Medal, awarded by the Committee of Thermodynamics and Combustion of the Polish Academy of Sciences – 1997;
  • Doctor Honoris Causa of the Azerbaijan Technical University, Baku -1997;
  • Medal of the Commission of National Education-2000;
  • Golden Cross for contribution to National Defense -2001;
  • Wacław Cybulski Medal, awarded by the Committee of Thermodynamics and Combustion of the Polish Academy of Sciences -2012;
  • Knight’s Cross of the Order of the Revival of Poland, Polonia Restituta– awarded by President of Poland for achievements in scientific research and education-2005;
  • Recipient of Minister of Science and Higher Education Award for Whole Scientific Research-2012;
  • Doctor Honoris Causa of the Military University of Technology, Warsaw -2015;
  • Medal (No.39) of Warsaw University of Technology -2015;
  • Business Innovation Award – VI Forum Innowacji, Rzeszów, 2015.

Supervision of doctoral thesis:

Supervisor of 26 finished and 3 in progress PhD thesis in field of combustion, propulsion, explosion and collisions of large asteroids with planets;

PhD Fellows:

  1. Bożena Boczek – 1983,
  2. Grzegorz Gmurczyk – 1985,
  3. Marek Woliński – 1987,
  4. Jadwiga Fangrat – 1989,
  5. Tomasz Golec – 1990,
  6. Omar Dahab – 1990,
  7. Atef Alef El Atroush – 1991,
  8. Maciej Mroczkowski -1994,
  9. Jolanta Radziszewska-Wolińska – 1998,
  10. Zbigniew Gut – 2002,
  11. Robert Panowicz – 2003,
  12. Małgorzata Helwig – 2003,
  13. Arkadiusz Kobiera – 2004,
  14. Wiesław Glinka – 2005,
  15. Dorota Oleszczak-Siwiec – 2006,
  16. Jan Kindracki – 2008,
  17. Grzegorz Rarata – 2009,
  18. Tomasz  Leżański – 2011,
  19. Michał Folusiak – 2014,
  20. Karol Świderski – 2014,
  21. Łukasz Mężyk – 2015,
  22. Paweł Surmacz – 2016,
  23. Dominik Kublik – 2017,
  24. Adam Okniński – 2018,
  25. Łukasz Boruc – 2019,
  26. Michał Kawalec – 2019.

Major activity at the Institute of Aviation (since 2019 – Łukasiewicz Research Network –Institute of Aviation)

  • Professor, Institute of Aviation Warsaw, Poland, since 1992;
  • Chairmen of the Scientific Boards of the Institute of Aviation, (2000-2003);
  • Member of the Scientific Boards of the Institute of Aviation (1992-2019);
  • Initiator of the research on rocket propulsion at the Institute of Aviation (2008) and scientific advisor of Space Technologies Center;
  • Head of the project “Turbine engine with detonation combustion chamber” (2010-2015).

Positions and functions held at the Warsaw University of Technology:

  • Deputy Dean, Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, 1980-84;
  • Dean, Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, 1987-1990;
  • Vice-Rector for Scientific Research 2002-05;
  • Member of Senate,  1999-2002;
  • Head of Division of Aircraft Engines, 1981-2012;
  • Organizer of Space Education at the Warsaw University of Technology and the Supervisor of student’s scientific group in astronautics, 1994-2016;
  • Supervisor of Warsaw University of Technology students’ team which built PW-Sat, first Polish satellite and PW-Sat2, 2012-2017;
  • Member of the “Dekaban” Program Committee, since 1993, Chairman (2003-2017);
  • Member of „Rector’s Strategic Advisers”, 2013-2016;
  • Member of the Program Committee of the Board of Interdisciplinary PhD Education in the field of Rockets Technology (since 2016).

Major activity outside the Warsaw University of Technology and outside Institute of Aviation:

  • Chairman of the Committee on Space Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, since 2003-2017;
  • Member of the Committee of Thermodynamics and Combustion of the Polish Academy of Sciences (1983-2020);
  • Member of Senate of the  Polish Air Force Academy,  Dęblin, (2008-2012);
  • Editor in Chief of “Archivum Combustionis”, Journal of the Polish Academy of Sciences, 1983-2004;
  • Member of the State Committee for Scientific Research,  Section T-12, Mining, Geodesy and Transportation, responsible for Propulsion and Space Research (1988-2002);
  • Board for Security and Defense in Ministry of Science; member 1998-2002, Chairman 2005-2006;
  • Member of the Scientific Board of the Space Research Center the Polish Academy of Sciences, Since 2003;
  • Member of the Council of the National Centre for Research and Development (2012-2016);
  • Member of the Board of the Polish Space Agency (2014-2020);
  • Institute for Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems, USA, Member of the Board of Directors, 1989-2015, Secretary – 1999-2003;
  • Polish Astronautical Society, Member  since 1961, President 1987-95, Honorary  President since 1995;
  • Polish Combustion Institute, since 1995, Chairman, 1995 – 2004;
  • Chairman of the Polish Delegation to the UN COPUOS  2003-2019;
  • Second Vice-Chairman of United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, UN Vienna ( June 2012-June 2014);
  • Member of the Editorial Board, “Journal of Engineering, Physics and Thermodynamics”; Minsk, Belarus, 2010-2016;
  • Member of the Editorial Board, “Combustion, Explosions and Shock Waves”; Novosibirsk, Russia;(2010-2014);
  • Member of the Editorial and Scientific Board, “Combustion Engines”, PTNSS, Poland (since 2005);
  • Concurrent Professor of Northeastern University in Shenyang, China (1999-2004);
  • Visiting Professor at University in Michigan (1982, 1990-1991);
  • Visiting Professor at NTU, Singapore, 2008;
  • Long term scientific foreign research and academic activities: 6- month, during 1972, in USSR, Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Siberian Division of the USSR Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, and at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA: 9 – months – 1979, 4 months – 1984, 3 months – 1986.

 Academy and Important Society:

  • International Academy of Astronautics, Paris, Full Member;
  • Engineering Academy in Poland, Full Member; Member of the Board, since 2015;
  • Warsaw Scientific Society, Full Member.

International cooperation:

  • University of Michigan  Ann Arbor, USA;
  • University of California, Berkeley, USA;
  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, USA;
  • Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan;
  • Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan;
  • Mitsubishi Heavy Ind. Guidance and Propulsion Group, Nagoya, Japan;
  • Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, P.R. of China;
  • Northeastern University, Shenyang, P.R. of China (Northeaster University, Shenyang, China, Concurrent Professor (1999-2004);
  • IHPC ASTAR; Singapore, (2006-2010);
  • NTU, Singapore, 2008;
  • Pratt and Whitney, USA, 2005-2012;
  • Pratt and Whitney, Canada, 2011-2014;
  • Chian Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China,
  • Tsinghua University, Beijing, China;
  • Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China,
  • Peking University, Beijing, China,
  • Kunming University of Science and Technology, Chair Guest Professor (2016).

Foreign Grants from:

  • US Department of Agriculture; (1998-2003)
  • US Department of Defense (DSWA) – 1997-1998;
  • Laurence Livermore National Laboratory, USA – 2001-2003;
  • Safekinex  – 2002-2006;
  • PECS – ESA – 2009-2016;
  • Pratt & Whitney  USA – 2005-2011;
  • Pratt & Whitney  Canada – 2011-2014;
  • Astrium – 2011-2014;
  • US AirForce Reserch Grant 2016-2018.

Recent Polish Grants:

  • NCBiR – 2008-2011;
  • UDA-POIG.01.03.01-14-071, 2010-2015;
  • NCN OPUS 6 – 2014-2017;
  • NCBiR PBS – 2015-2017;