Dual-effect thermionic and transpiration ultra-high-flux cooling of leading edges
Abstract
A team led by UCLA will develop a unique and heretofore unrealized approach to cooling hypersonic leading edges that primarily exploits two synergistic phenomena: thermionic electron emission, and evaporative transpiration cooling by a molten oxide specifically selected for its low work function and hence highly effective thermionic emission. This synergistic approach could be potentially transformative in both the total cooling capacity and the possibility for actively controlling the cooling rate. However, the successful realization of these outcomes will require unraveling numerous unknowns, including thermophysical properties of the oxide across its phase space as well as its thermionic behavior at projected operating conditions. The team includes complementary, world-leading domain experts on these crucial topics, as well as partners that are well equipped to fabricate and field the technology toward maturation: aerospace heat transfer and mechanics of materials under extreme conditions; established manufacturer of high-temperature materials and devices for government and commercial applications; hypersonic reacting and ionized flow modeling; profiles and relevant platforms and thermal management architectures; and advanced, high-current thermionic materials and devices. The program with quantify and clarify critical issues early in the program with an aggressive test and modeling campaign that involves rapid development of basic fabrication processes, thermophysical property characterization, and thermionic emission testing of molten oxide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 17, 2020
- Source ID
- W911NF2010016
Entities
People
- Timothy S. Fisher
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
- University of California, Los Angeles