(DURIP) PLASMATRON WIND TUNNEL FOR HYPERSONIC MATERIALS RESEARCH
Abstract
Predicting the response of surfaces and materials to extreme conditions is key for the development of hypersonic systems. Effective thermal protection systems of hypersonic vehicles must resist to extreme aerothermal heating and mechanical loads while anticipating changes in aerodynamic shape and surface properties. Ground testing capabilities that reproduce aerothermal conditions met at hypersonic speeds constitute the backbone source of knowledge to develop predictive computational models, assess material performance and enable new material discovery. We propose a new plasmatron facility to support hypersonic materials research on broad range of critical areas, including gas-surface interactions, ablation, and erosion and non-equilibrium plasmas. Using inductively coupled plasma technology to produce a high enthalpy plasma jet, the plasmatron enables accurate simulation of high-enthalpy reactive flows encountered during hypersonic flight. The electrodeless plasma generation provides a chemically pure environment that is ideal to study flow-material interactions. We propose to purchase critical plasmatron components, to be integrated with state-of-the-art diagnostic, high-fidelity modeling simulations and advanced materials characterization. We anticipate the plasmatron facility to enable a leap in our understanding of hypersonic materials and to constitute a fundamental research asset for the Air Force and the hypersonic community at large.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110044
Entities
People
- Francesco Panerai
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign