Jonathon Kenneth Schuh

For More Information

• Teaching and Research Interests

Education

• Bachelor of Science with Highest Honors Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013
• Master of Science Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015
• Ph.D. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2018
• Master of Business Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2021

Biography

Jonathon K. Schuh obtained in BS with Highest Honors in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013. He obtained his MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2015 and his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics in 2018, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After graduating with his Ph.D., Jonathon worked as a postdoctoral research associate with Professor Pete Sauer, the Grainger Chair Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Illinois, on control of magnetic actuators. He also taught sections of ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics. In January of 2020, Jonathon joined the ECE Department as a Teaching Assistant Professor. He also obtained a Master of Business Administration, also from the University of Illinois, in 2021.

Academic Positions

• Postdoctoral Research Associate, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, May 17, 2018-December 31, 2019
• Teaching Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, January 1, 2020-Present
• Associate Head for MEng Programs, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, January 16, 2025-Present

Major Consulting Activities

• Hinetics, LLC, Champaign, Illinois, May 2019-December 2025

Professional Registrations

• Engineering Intern, State of Illinois, May 2018-Present

Design Teams

• Carle Illinois College of Medicine Capstone Project Advisor: Epicap, seizure monitoring baseball cap, Fall 2021-Spring 2022

Research Interests

• Power and Energy Storage
• Computational Physics
• Electromechanics
• Tribology

Selected Articles in Journals

• J. K. Schuh and R. H. Ewoldt. "Asymmetric surface textures decrease friction with Newtonian fluids in full film lubricated sliding contact." Tribology International, 97, 490-498, 2016. DOI 10.1016/j.triboint.2016.01.016.
• A. Jurado, H. Kim, A. Rossi, A. Arcifa, J. K. Schuh, N. D. Spencer, C. Leal, R. H. Ewoldt and R. M. Espinosa-Marzal. "Effect of the environmental humidity on the bulk, interfacial and nanoconfined properties of an ionic liquid." Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 18, 22719-22730, 2016. DOI 10.1039/c6cp03777a.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Design-driven modeling of surface-textured full-film lubricated sliding: validation and rationale of non-standard thrust observations." Tribology Letters, 65 (2), 2017. DOI 10.1007/s11249-017-0818-8.
• Y. H. Lee, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Enhancing full-film lubrication performance via arbitrary surface texture design." Journal of Mechanical Design, 139 (5), 053401-1-13, 2017. DOI 10.1115/1.4036133.
• V. A. Iyer, J. K. Schuh, E. C. Montoto, V. P. Nemani, S. Qian, G. Nagarjuna, J. Rodriguez-Lopez, R. H. Ewoldt, and K. C. Smith. "Assessing the impact of electrolyte conductivity and viscosity on the reactor cost and pressure drop of redox active polymer flow batteries." Journal of Power Sources, 361 (1), 334-344, 2017. DOI 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.06.052.
• M. Burgess, K. Hernandez-Burgos, J. K. Schuh, J. Davila, E. C. Montoto, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. Rodriguez-Lopez. "Modulation of the Reactivity of Solubilized Redox Active Polymers via Polyelectrolyte Dynamics." Journal of the American Chemical Society, 160 (6), 2093-2104, 2018. DOI 10.1021/jacs.7b08353.
• J. Zhang, R. E. Corman, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, I. A. Shkrob, and L. Zhang. "Solution properties and practical limits of concentrated electrolytes for nonaqueous redox flow batteries." The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 112 (15), 8159-8172, 2018. DOI 10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b02009.
• Y. H. Lee, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Simultaneous design of non-Newtonian lubricant and surface texture using surrogate-based multiobjective optimization." Journal of Mechanical Design, 60, p. 99-116, 2019. DOI 10.1007/s00158-019-02201-1.
• J. K. Schuh and R. H. Ewoldt. "Low Reynolds number friction reduction with polymers and textures." Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, 273, 104167, 2019. DOI 10.1016/j.jnnfm.2019.104167.
• J. K. Schuh. "Inertial contributions to friction measurements in thrust bearings." Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part J: Journal of Engineering Tribology, 236 (8), p. 1634–1646 2022. DOI: 10.1177/13506501211065304. DOI 10.1109/TIA.2022.3230379.
• D. Lee, T. Balachandran, S. Sirimanna, N. Salk, A. Yoon, P. Xiao, J. Macks, Y. Yu, S. Lin, J. K. Schuh, P. Powell, K. S. Haran. "Detailed Design and Prototyping of a High Power Density Slotless PMSM." IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 59 (2), p. 1719-1727, 2022. DOI 10.1109/TIA.2022.3230379.
• J. K. Schuh. "Viscoelastic friction reduction in the infinite length journal bearing". Physics of Fluids 1 August 2025; 37 (8): 083107. DOI 10.1063/5.0276038.

Articles in Conference Proceedings

• S. P. Link, C. Radhakrishnan, A. Banerjee, C. D. Schmitz, J. K. Schuh, O. Mironenko, R. M. Reck. "WIP-Teaching Students to Synthesize Knowledge by Recognition of Connections". 2025 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, Nashville, TN, November 2-5, 2025.
• K. E. Wandke, C. D. Schmitz, J. K. Schuh, Y. V. Shao. (2024, June), Board 82: Work in Progress: Examination of Video Demonstrations as an Alternate Content-Delivery Method Paper presented at 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Portland, Oregon. DOI 10.18260/1-2—48382
• J. K. Schuh. "Utilizing water towers for pumped storage hydropower." 2023 IEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois (PECI), Champaign, IL, USA, 2023, pp. 1-7. DOI 10.1109/PECI57361.2023.10197755. 
• D. Lee, T. Balachandran, N. Salk, J. K. Schuh, A. Yoon, P. Xiao, Y. Yu, S. Lin, P. Powell, K. K. Haran. "Design and Prototype of a High Power Density Slotless PMSM for Direct Drive Aircraft Propulsion." 2021 IEEE Power and Energy Conference at Illinois (PECI), 2021, pp. 1-6. DOI 10.1109/PECI51586.2021.9435256.
• Y. H. Lee, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Simultaneous Design of Non-Newtonian Lubricant and Surface Texture Using Surrogate-Based Optimization." American Institute of Aeronautics and Aviation Science and Technology Forum, Kissimmee, FL, January 8-12, 2018. DOI 10.2514/6.2018-1906
• C. Lin, Y. H. Lee, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Efficient Optimal Surface Texture Design Using Linearization." 12th World Congress on Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, Braunschweig, Germany, July 5-9, 2017. DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-67988-4_48
• Y. H. Lee, J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Shape parameterization comparison for full-film lubrication texture design." Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conference, Charlotte, NC, August 21-24, 2016. DOI 10.1115/DETC2016-60168
• L. G. Rao, J. K. Schuh, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "On using adaptive surrogate modeling in design for efficient fluid power." Proceedings of the ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conference, Boston, MA, August 2-5, 2015. DOI 10.1115/DETC2015-46832

Abstracts (in print or accepted)

• J. K. Schuh. "Non-linear viscoelastic friction reduction in the short length journal bearing." American Physical Society: 78th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Houston, TX, November 23-25, 2025.
• J. K. Schuh. "Viscoelastic friction reduction in the infinite length journal bearing." American Physical Society: 77th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Salt Lake City, UT, November 24-26, 2024.
• J. K. Schuh. "Viscoelastic friction reduction in the infinite length journal bearing". Society of Rheology 95th Annual Meeting, Austin, TX, October 13-17, 2024.
• J. K. Schuh. "Viscoelastic contributions to the infinite length journal bearing". American Physical Society: 76th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Washington D.C., November 19-21, 2023.
• J. K. Schuh. "Utilizing water towers for pumped storage hydropower." American Physical Society: 75th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Indianapolis, IN, November 20-22, 2022.
• J. K. Schuh. "Inertial contributions to friction measurements in thrust bearings." American Physical Society: 73rd Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Chicago, IL, November 22-24, 2020. Virtual.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Designing With Non-Linear Viscoelastic Fluids." American Physical Society: 70th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Denver, CO, November 19-21, 2017.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Toward co-design of surface textures and Non-Newtonian fluids for decreased friction in lubricated viscous sliding." Society of Rheology 89th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, October 8-12, 2017.
• J. K. Schuh and R. H. Ewoldt. "Surface textures and Non-Newtonian fluids for decreased friction." Society of Rheology 88th Annual Meeting, Tampa, FL, February 12-16, 2017.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "A validated numerical model for the design of surface textures in full-film lubricated sliding." American Physical Society: 69th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Portland, OR, November 20-22, 2016.
• J. K. Schuh and R. H. Ewoldt. "Surface textures and Non-Newtonian fluids for decreased friction." International Congress of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 2016, Montreal, QC, Canada, August 21-26, 2016.
• J. K. Schuh and R .H. Ewoldt (presenter). "Surface textures and Non-Newtonian fluids for decreased friction." American Physical Society: 68th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Boston, MA, November 22-24, 2015.

Presentations

• Y. H. Lee (presenter), J. K. Schuh, R. H. Ewoldt, and J. T. Allison. "Generalization of Surface Texture Shape Reduces Friction and Increases Load Capacity Simultaneously in Sliding Contact with Full-Film Lubrication." Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Minneapolis, MN, October 10-12, 2016.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Design appropriate modeling for determining optimal friction reduction with surface textures." Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Minneapolis, MN, October 10-12, 2016.
• J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Rheological design for efficient fluid power." Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Chicago, IL, October 14-16, 2015.
• J. K. Schuh, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Rheological design for efficient fluid power." Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power IEC Summit, Atlanta, GA, February 2-4, 2015.
• J. K. Schuh, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. "Rheological design for efficient fluid power." Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Nashville, TN, October 13-15, 2014.

Other Scholarly Activities

• Poster: J. K. Schuh, Y. H. Lee, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. “Rheological design for efficient fluid power.” Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Chicago, IL, October 14-16, 2015.
• Poster: J. K. Schuh, J. T. Allison, and R. H. Ewoldt. “Rheological design for efficient fluid power.” Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power Fluid Power Innovation and Research Conference, Nashville, TN, October 13-15, 2014.

Honors

• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics (Spring 2025)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics (Fall 2024)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics (Fall 2021)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 110: Introduction to Electronics (Fall 2021)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics (Spring 2021)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics (Fall 2019)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics (Spring 2019)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent, ECE 330: Power Circuits and Electromechanics (Fall 2018)
• Honorable Mention: 2017 Journal of Mechanical Design Editor's Choice Award (June 2018)
• Teacher Ranked as Excellent (Fall 2017)
• T. A. Peebles Award for Excellence in Automated Control Systems (May 2013)