Paul Rumbach

Paul Rumbach is an Associate Teaching Professor and Research Scientist in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame, where he has served since 2017. He earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2016 and dual B.S. degrees in Applied Physics and Mathematics from Indiana University Bloomington in 2010. Earlier in his career, Rumbach held positions as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and Course Instructor at Notre Dame from 2015 to 2017, a Graduate Research Assistant there from 2011 to 2015 under Dr. David B. Go, and an Undergraduate Research Assistant at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility from 2008 to 2012. His academic background in applied physics and mechanical engineering underpins his contributions to plasma science and engineering education.

Rumbach's research specializations include plasma-liquid interfaces, solvated electron chemistry, plasma-enabled catalysis, interfacial dynamics, microdischarges, and electrochemical reactions at plasma-liquid interfaces, with expertise in plasma physics, optics, and high voltage circuit design. He developed an optical diagnostic technique for detecting solvated electrons at plasma-liquid interfaces, featured in highly influential publications such as 'Overcoming ammonia synthesis scaling relations with plasma-enabled catalysis' (2018), 'The solvation of electrons by an atmospheric-pressure plasma' (2015), 'Evidence for the electrolysis of water by atmospheric-pressure plasmas formed at the surface of aqueous solutions' (2012), 'The penetration and concentration of solvated electrons and hydroxyl radicals at a plasma-liquid interface' (2018), and 'Universal interfacial dynamics due to resonant coupling between electron plasma patterns and capillary wave dynamics' (2024). In teaching, he leads undergraduate laboratory courses like AME Lab I, AME Lab II, Mechatronics Lab, and Automation and Controls Lab, which he developed, emphasizing hands-on experiential learning. Rumbach received the 2025 Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Award for Excellence in Teaching, the ND Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016), the Kaneb Center Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher/TA Award (2013), and multiple Electrostatics Society of America First Place Student Presentation Awards (2013, 2014, 2015). He advises the Domer Rover club, serves on the College of Engineering Council (2022-2025), and participates in Ph.D. committees.