Laser Diagnostic System to Enhance Research and STEM Training in Energetics and Hypersonics
Abstract
DoD research interests span a broad range of scientific and engineering topics, including detonations and energetics physics, advanced weapons development, propulsion systems for weapons delivery, hypersonics, material development for extreme thermal and chemical conditions, and power generation. In each research area, high temperature (500-3000 K) products and reaction chemistry play a crucial role. In reactions relevant to explosives and detonations, for example, initial compounds (e.g., fuels and energetics) break down into numerous intermediate species which react to form products on micro to millisecond timescales. To advance the understanding of reaction chemistry, time-resolved measurements of key species participating in the reaction and the temperature and pressure of the system are critical. In addition, accurate characterization of species and temperature fields within plumes and fireballs produced by explosives is critical to characterizing the lethality and effectiveness of weapons systems for a range of applications. Detailed and accurate temperature and species characterization will improve modeling efforts for explosives and lead to improved weapons systems. Laser absorption spectroscopy is a technique that provides high-speed, non-intrusive measurements of these key parameters in harsh reacting environments. It is proposed to acquire an advanced, state-of-the-art laser system (SolsTiS) with output between 200-1100 nm to construct an absorption spectroscopy-based system for simultaneous, time-resolved measurements of multiple species concentrations and the thermodynamic state of the system. This diagnostic system will be comprised of a Ti:Sapphire pump laser and modular frequency doubling/quadrupling crystals to probe the UV, visible, and part of the IR spectrum. The proposed system will provide a significantly enhanced understanding of key chemical reaction kinetics relevant to explosives/afterburning behavior, propulsion systems and propellants combustion, reentry conditions, and hypersonic engines. This objective will be achieved by studying gas-phase chemical reactions, especially those involving atoms and radicals, inside various combustion facilities (shock tubes and detonation tubes) operated by the PI. These facilities can generate conditions applicable to the aforementioned research areas and produce the atoms, radicals, and reactions that would be seen in such scenarios. Thus, coupling the PIÕs existing facilities and the proposed laser system will provide unique capabilities to study these pertinent gas-phase reactions. The system will immediately impact ongoing research projects funded by ONR, Naval Surface Warfare Centers, AFOSR, DTRA, AFRL to the PI, and others at the university. The system will enhance and expand research capabilities across the University of Central Florida, one of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions in the country with more than 70, 000 students, to support a range of DoD applications, including studying the performance of explosives and propellants for weapons systems, hypersonics research, combustion research, and fundamental high-temperature spectroscopy. Undergraduate and graduate students will use the system to perform research and STEM education training, which will directly contribute to Ph.D. dissertations and undergraduate honors theses. Working closely with DoD labs, this effort will provide a pipeline for the future DoD workforce by students applying for programs, including internships/jobs/postdoctoral fellowships. In addition, K-12 students will be introduced to the equipment via existing programs at UCF. The proposed system will also have broader applications spanning a range of departments and faculty at UCF, representing 3 colleges and multiple centers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 02, 2022
- Source ID
- W911NF2210163
Entities
People
- Subith Vasu Sumathi
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Office of the Secretary of Defense
- University of Central Florida