Dr. Matthew J. Traum » People

Dr. Matthew J. Traum is an experienced educator, administrator, fund raiser, and researcher serving the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida as an instructional faculty member. Traum serves as Principle Investigator of UF’s GatorKits Laboratory focused on pedagogical research and best practices for hands-on kit-centered STEM instruction. A serial entrepreneur and inventor in the Ed Tech, Energy Tech, Bio Tech, and Ag/Food Tech industries, Dr. Traum has founded or co-founded 9 companies mostly in collaboration with former students to commercialize products and services conceptualized through his research and teaching practices. Previously, Dr. Traum was an Associate Professor and Director of Engineering Programs at Philadelphia University. Prior to PhilaU, he served on the Milwaukee School of Engineering faculty and was co-founder of the Mechanical & Energy Engineering Department at the University of North Texas – Denton. Dr. Traum’s pedagogical expertise includes teaching and assessment for remote STEM courses with labs, virtual exchange with international partners, and evaluating large-enrollment engineering design and lab courses including senior design. His experimental research expertise encompasses design and metrology of novel alternative energy systems including Tesla turbines, direct-air cryogenic carbon sequestration, and vapor transport through multi-functional micro- and nano-porous media.

Education

B.S., 2001, Mechanical Engineering, University of California – Irvine,

B.S., 2001, Aerospace Engineering [cum laude], University of California – Irvine,

M.S., 2003, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,

Ph.D., 2007, Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professional Memberships and Fellowships

Association of Energy Engineers, Member
American Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member
American Society of Engineering Education, Member
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Member
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member
Tesla Engine Builders Association, Member
Textbook & Academic Authors Association, Member

Teaching Interests

Design and Energy-Thermal-Fluids

Research Interests

Teaching and assessing Web-based STEM courses with labs; evaluation and instruction of large-enrollment engineering design courses; design and metrology for novel alternative energy systems: Tesla turbines, direct-air cryogenic carbon sequestration, and vapor transport through micro- and nano-porous media.

Notable Awards

2025 UF International Center Global Learning Excellence Award for Impact

2025 UF Career Connections Center Career Influencer Award – Faculty Category Nominee

2024 UF Affordable Access Award

2024 Santa Fe College TRIO Community Partnership Award

UF Research Promotion Initiative Award, Spring 2024.

ASEE PreK-12 Spotlight Recognition: STEMTank Program, Summer 2023

UF MAE Excellence in Teaching Innovation Award, 2023

University of Florida Superior Accomplishment Award for Community Service, Division 3 – Academic Affairs, 2021

WACE Exemplary Practice Award, 1st Place for STEMTank, Association of Florida Colleges Workforce Adult & Continuing Education Commission (WACE), 2020

Publications

Applied Research:

S. K. S. Boetcher, J. B. Perskin, Y. Maidenberg, M. J. Traum, T. von Hippel, “Direct Atmospheric Cryogenic Carbon Capture in Cold Climates,” Carbon Capture Science & Technology, Vol. 8, 2023, 100127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccst.2023.100127

M. J. Traum, J. Mishur, “Thermoelectric Power Production Efficiency Can Surpass Photovoltaics Under Concentrated Sunlight Due to High-Temperature Performance Degradation,” International Journal of Applied Energy Systems, Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp. 13-30, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ijaes.2023.160967.1014

F. Hadi, H. Yang, M. J. Traum, “Assessment of Performance of Tesla Turbine in Water Distribution Systems for Energy Harvesting,” ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology, Vol. 143, No. 4, pp. 042101-1 to 042101-7, April 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4048018

 

Pedagogical Research:

A. L. Provost, M. J. Traum, A. M. Kohnen, T. Cothren, J. A. Doher, J. L. Garcia, J. Yawn, C. Diaz, “Bridging the Divide: Addressing Barriers to Cross-Institutional Collaboration through the TRAVE Framework,” Learning Abstracts, Published by the League for Innovation in the Community College, January 2026

M. J. Traum, A. L. Provost, J. A. Doher, “STEMTank – Implementing Online an Engineering Summer Camp for Underprivileged High School Students in Response to COVID-19,” Opportunity Matters: Journal of Access and Opportunity in Education, Published by the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education, Vol. 4, 2022. URL: https://coenet.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2022-Opportunity-Matters-Journal-Volume-4.pdf

M. J. Traum, J. Fiorentine, “Rapid Evaluation On-Line Assessment of Student Learning Gains for Just-In-Time Course Modification,” Journal of Online Engineering Education, Vol. 12, No. 1, Article 2, June 2021. URL: https://onlineengineeringeducation.com/index.php/joee/article/view/45