Steven Weinstein Headshot

Steven Weinstein

Professor

Department of Chemical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Program Faculty, School of Mathematics and Statistics

585-475-4299
Office Location
Office Mailing Address
160 Lomb Memorial Drive Institute Hall Rochester, NY 14623

Steven Weinstein

Professor

Department of Chemical Engineering
Kate Gleason College of Engineering
Program Faculty, School of Mathematics and Statistics

Education

BS, University of Rochester; MS, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania

Bio

Dr. Weinstein is the Harvey J. Palmer Endowed Professor in Chemical Engineering, and holds degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Rochester (B.S. 1983) and the University of Pennsylvania (M.S. 1985; Ph.D. 1988).  He worked at Eastman Kodak for 18 years, where he focused on coating science, thin film flows, die manifold design, wave stability, curtain flows, and web dynamics, obtaining seven patents in these areas. He co-authored a prominent review article on coating flows in Annual Reviews of Fluid Mechanics (2004) and received several accolades, including the CEK Mees Award for research excellence at Kodak and the Young Investigator Award from the International Society of Coating Science and Technology. Dr. Weinstein has served as adjunct professor at multiple universities, including the University of Rochester, RIT, and Cornell University. In 2007, he joined RIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, later founded and headed the Department of Chemical Engineering until July of 2023. His teaching and research span fluid mechanics, applied mathematics, and coating applications, including innovative work on flow instabilities and asymptotic/power series methodologies. He is a core faculty member in RIT’s Mathematical Modeling Ph.D. Program and continues collaborative funded research with Cornell University.

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Ugras, Thomas J., et al. "Transforming achiral semiconductors into chiral domains with exceptional circular dichroism." Science 387. (2025): eado7201. Print.
Barlow, N. S., W. C. Reinberger, and S. J. Weinstein. "Exact and explicit analytical solution for the Sakiadis boundary layer." Physics of Fluids 36. (2024): '031703. Print.
Reinberger, W. Cade, et al. "Exact solution for heat transfer across the Sakiadis boundary layer." Physics of Fluids 36. (2024): 73609. Print.
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Published Article
Barlow, N. S., B.T. Helenbrook, S.P. Lin and S.J. Weinstein.“An Interpretation of absolutely and convectively unstable waves using seriessolutions.” Wave Motion, 47.8 (2010): 564-582. Print. *
Theisen, E. A., M. Davis, S.J. Weinstein and P.H. Steen. “Transient behavior of the planar-flow melt spinning process.” ChemicalEngineering Science, 65.10 (2010): 3249—3259. Web. *
Oakes, J. M., S. Day, S.J. Weinstein and R.J. Robinson. “Flow field analysis in expanding healthy and emphyematous alveolar models using particle image velocimetry.” Journal of Biomechical Engineering, 132.2 (2010): 1-9. Web. *

Currently Teaching

CHME-301
3 Credits
Mathematical and computational techniques necessary for engineering analysis are introduced that augment training from core mathematics and engineering courses. The spreadsheet environment is used to implement mathematical procedures and examine results. Topics covered include roots of equations, fitting equations to data, solution of systems of algebraic equations, interpolation, optimization, numerical differentiation and integration, and the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations. Techniques are applied to mathematical problems arising in chemical engineering using Microsoft Excel.
CHME-499
0 Credits
One semester of paid work experience in chemical engineering.
CHME-620
3 Credits
Fundamentals of fluid flow are examined on a differential scale. Local differential equations governing fluid flow are derived from their corresponding integral forms using classical integral theorems. The form of these equations in various coordinate systems is examined. Exact solutions of differential equations are considered under both steady state and transient conditions, as are typical approximations to those equations such as creeping, potential, lubrication, and boundary layer flows. The theoretical basis of these approximations are unified via asymptotic theory. Forces on surfaces are determined by coupling differential velocity and pressure fields with appropriate integral representations.
CHME-777
3 Credits
This course is used by students as a qualifying capstone experience to their M.S. degree. Students must submit a 1-page proposal for the internship, to be approved by an employing supervisor and the Chemical Engineering department prior to enrolling. The work may involve research and/or design project with demonstration of acquired knowledge. The project scope should be developed with the intent of being completed in a single academic semester. In all instances, an evaluation report submitted to the employing supervisor of the work is required to satisfy the capstone experience.
MATH-790
0 - 9 Credits
Masters-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
MTSE-777
3 Credits
This course is a capstone project using research facilities available inside or outside of RIT.

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