With over twenty years of wide-ranging engineering experience, Dr. Hansen manages the TIDES™ tidal power generation technology development program in conjunction with Oceana's Chief Technology Officer.  He has  been integral to the technical direction of the company's technology, including the conceptual development and co-invention of patents, the design and construction of tidal power generation devices, and scale-model testing activities at the U.S. Navy's David Taylor Model Basin.

 

Dr. Hansen is a principal of Ride Centerline, LLC, a roller coaster and amusement ride design consultancy firm.  He has been involved in the design of numerous roller coasters and other amusement rides.  Prior to forming Ride Centerline with Alan Schilke and Dody Bachtar, former Chief Engineers at Arrow Dynamics, Inc., Dr. Hansen served as Chief Engineer for S&S Power, one of the largest and most innovative amusement ride manufacturers in the world.  Ride Centerline is currently the design team for the Emergency Egress System for NASA's new Ares launch vehicle.  The EES is a 470-foot-tall roller coaster system for evacuating personnel off of the upper launch platform and into a safe bunker location in the event of an emergency.

 

In addition to his work at Ride Centerline, Dr. Hansen is also President of Hansen Engineering Analysis and Design, Inc. of Hyde Park, Utah.  This firm specializes in the advanced development and research of various engineering concepts, including continuing earth penetration, wave power generation, automation equipment, construction equipment, forensics, and technical support for patent prosecution of discoveries. 

 

Dr. Hansen also previously worked on national security projects at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, including design work on earth penetration weapons research and other advanced weapon concepts.  Due to his service at Sandia, he brings significant government related experience to the company in addition to a track record of working in a major research laboratory on projects of strong national interest.   He holds a doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University.