Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Mask-On Breathing Awareness Trainer (Mobat), Robert Larson, Yuzhong Shen

Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Student Capstone Conference

Currently there is no low-cost solution to teach large quantities of Naval Aviators on how to correctly breath on an oxygen mask. This report will discuss the design and implementation of a mask-on breathing apparatus for use with United States Naval Aircrew for initial and annual familiarization. With the current uptick in physiological episodes within the naval aviation enterprise, there has been a need to find solutions to this problem. Currently when a naval aircrew is trained in aviation physiological threats, they do so with normobaric hypoxia tools in the form of the 9A19 Normobaric Hypoxia Trainer for aircrew who …

Statistical Approach To Quantifying Interceptability Of Interaction Scenarios For Testing Autonomous Surface Vessels, Benjamin E. Hargis, Yiannis E. Papelis

Modeling, Simulation and Visualization Student Capstone Conference

This paper presents a probabilistic approach to quantifying interceptability of an interaction scenario designed to test collision avoidance of autonomous navigation algorithms. Interceptability is one of many measures to determine the complexity or difficulty of an interaction scenario. This approach uses a combined probability model of capability and intent to create a predicted position probability map for the system under test. Then, intercept-ability is quantified by determining the overlap between the system under test probability map and the intruder’s capability model. The approach is general; however, a demonstration is provided using kinematic capability models and an odometry-based intent model.

The Lagrange Logistics Method, Jeffrey Rogers

Space Studies Student Publications

Human development into different environments has always required logistics support to sustain life, focusing this research on one method in supporting interplanetary missions beyond Earth. It explores utilizing stations in Lagrange orbital points within the solar system, analogous to transcontinental hubs for logistics operations in an emerging domain. The evaluation considers available Lagrange points, environmental considerations including available resources, flight distances and time in comparison to current interplanetary flight, potential risks, and possibilities beyond the immediate future to determine the practicability of this method. To determine this, a qualitative descriptive analysis method is employed. Data was collected through historical accounts, …

Thermal Control For A Miniaturized Fabry-Perot Interferometer In A Cubesat, Callie Pilkington

Honors Theses

The evaluation of neutral winds is critical in understanding the ever-changing weather and climate of the thermosphere, which can develop into a hostile environment for satellites. To measure these neutral winds, Michigan Aerospace Corporation is developing a 6U CubeSat that utilizes a miniaturized Fabry-Perot interferometer. For ideal operation, the Fabry-Perot interferometer requires a closely maintained thermal environment. These requirements are crucial in obtaining accurate measurements and for sustaining instrument and mission life due to the vast temperature range experienced in the thermosphere. With the solutions outlined in this proposal, the goal is to provide Michigan Aerospace with an optimized configuration …

Analysis And Mitigation Of Pneumatic Regulator Resonance, Luke Fouch

Honors Theses

Internal resonance in pneumatic regulators can result in heavy leakage, which can lead to less efficient processes. To address this issue, two simulations were developed to simulate pneumatic regulation systems. The first simulation involved deriving a mathematical model of the equations of motion for a regulator and applying it using MATLAB. The second simulation involved developing a Simulink model that incorporated physical regulator properties. To verify the accuracy of both models, physical testing data was used. After verification, the models were modified in various ways to determine the main drivers of resonance in pneumatic systems. Additionally, Finite Element Analysis was …

High Power Rocket Motor Test Bench, Jonathan Wine

Honors Theses

Static ground testing of rocket motors is used to gather performance data and troubleshoot the propulsion system, allowing propulsion engineers to compare actual characteristics to the designed parameters. It is also used in the development and validation of new propulsion systems and alterations to the fuel and oxidizer mixtures. Test benches are used to continuously collect data throughout the burn of a rocket motor, which allows engineers to plot the thrust as a function of time. This plot, a thrust curve, displays several important pieces of information about a rocket motor. This information is crucial to allow astronautical engineers to …

Design Of A Dynamometer Test Platform For Formula Sae Internal Combustion And Electric Powertrains, Ryan Bare

Honors Theses

This dynamometer project was completed for the Formula SAE team at Western Michigan University and aimed to deliver a functional and safe engine dynamometer test stand. Formula SAE is a student organization that designs and manufactures a new formula style race car from the ground up every year to compete at an international collegiate competition. The purpose of the dynamometer is to allow the team to tune their internal combustion (IC) engine and the newly developed electric powertrain (EV). The engine dynamometer is important to the Formula team as it will allow engine tuning and diagnosis prior to the completion …

Experimental And Numerical Studies Of Slurry-Based Coextrusion Deposition Of Continuous Carbon Fiber Micro-Batteries To Additively Manufacture 3d Structural Battery Composites, Aditya R. Thakur, Xiangyang Dong

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Carbon Fiber Structural Battery Composites Have Recently Attracted Growing Interests Due to their Potentials of Simultaneously Carrying Mechanical Loads and Storing Electrical Energy for Lightweight Application. in This Study, We Present a Slurry-Based Coextrusion Deposition Method to Additively Manufacture 3D Structural Battery Composites from Carbon Fiber Micro-Batteries. Cathode Slurry is Coextruded Together with Solid Polymer Electrolyte-Coated Carbon Fibers in a Single Deposition. a Network of Carbon Fiber Micro-Batteries is Achieved within the Fabricated Structural Battery Composites. Electrochemical Tests Show a Stable Charge-Discharge Performance Up to 100 Cycles. the Rheological Behavior of the Cathode Slurry is Found to Govern the Coextrusion …

Understanding And Minimizing The Effects Of Propellant Mean Bulk Temperature Changes In Solid Rocket Motors, Thomas Sorensen

Student Research Symposium

Solid rocket propellant typically contains the geometry of an extruded annulus. This propellant, when ignited, burns radially at a rate called the “burn rate”. This rate dramatically affects important motor performance characteristics such as pressure, thrust, and specific impulse. Each different mixture of solid rocket propellant has a sensitivity to initial propellant temperature. The relationship between burn rate and initial temperature sensitivity function are each determined experimentally. This literature review will analyze existing experimental data. The objective of the research is to see if there is a reliable way to predict the burning rate’s temperature sensitivity prior to obtaining new …

Relating Throttled Hybrid Motor Performance To Oxidizer-To-Fuel Ratio, Trevor Coombs

Student Research Symposium

A hybrid rocket motor's ability to throttle and restart, along with other desirable traits, drives its potential to be an emerging technology in spaceflight applications. However, the current lack of an ability to maintain an optimal mixture ratio of oxidizer to fuel propellants, O/F ratio, during combustion limits the hybrid motor's overall efficiency. This study quantifies how variations in O/F ratio and combustion chamber pressure, which a throttle valve can indirectly manipulate upstream of the chamber, affect the characteristic velocity (c * ) and specific impulse (Isp) of the motor. The researcher uses an analytical hybrid rocket combustion model and …

Energy Storage Can Increase The Value And Flexibility Of A Nuclear Power Plant But Makes Plant Economics More Subject To Uncertainty In Electricity Price, Jacob Bryan

Student Research Symposium

Regional electricity markets currently rely heavily on coal and natural gas resources to meet electricity demand. Intermittent renewable resources like wind and solar power are location-dependent and are not dispatchable resources. Flexible nuclear power, achieved through the use of integrated thermal energy storage, may be able to complement these renewable resources to provide clean, predictable power in an evolving electricity grid. This study considers such a flexible nuclear plant and seeks to address a fundamental modeling question: which uncertain model inputs have a significant effect on the economics of the system, and to what degree? These questions are addressed by …

New Rocket Fuel Blend For Hybrid Rocket Ignition Enhancement, Ryan Thibaudeau

Student Research Symposium

This work describes and compares different methods of ignition for hybrid rockets using acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) as the fuel and high-test hydrogen peroxide (HTP) as the oxidizer. Additionally, the work provides an overview of the current state of the art regarding ignition of HTP hybrid rockets. The approach to ignition methods using gaseous oxygen (GOX) pre-lead and catalytic ignition configurations are presented. The manufacturing process and testing results of a unique catalyst-infused fuel grain is presented as the optimal solution to overcome ignition latencies present in HTP-ABS hybrid rockets.

Controlling Oxidizer-Fuel Ratio With Vortex Injection In Hybrid Rockets, Max Francom

Student Research Symposium

Hybrid motors have existed as a hypothetical propulsion system for decades in a wide range of upper stage rocket motors due to their simple, robust, non-toxic, and versatile nature. However, inherent to hybrids is oxidizer:Fuel ratio (O:F Ratio) shift over time, the elimination of which would remove many potential barriers to hybrid rocket motor usage in most spaceflight applications. The most important and difficult part of analytical models of hybrid rockets is the regression/combustion rate of hybrid fuel. O:F Ratio control is fully dependent on the ability to manipulate this regression independently of Oxidizer mass input. One potential method of …

In-Situ Optical Measurements Of Combustion Plumes, Cara Frischkorn

Student Research Symposium

The exhaust plumes of rocket and jet propulsion systems feature highly-oxidizing, potentially corrosive, extremely high temperature flows. The hostility of these environments makes obtaining in-situ thermal flow measurements extremely difficult. The conventional method for these measurements uses Gardon heat-flux gauges requiring complex and highly invasive installations which cannot be used for flight applications. More recent work has used fiberoptic cable installations to sense internal flow conditions of hybrid and solid fuel rockets. In this configuration, fiber optic cables inserted through the fuel and into the flow are consumed by the flame as the fuel surfaces pyrolyze, but the cable tips …

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Of Liquid Crystal Elastomers, Nanang Mahardika

Student Research Symposium

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Liquid Crystal Elastomers

Filter-Based Air Sampler Capable Of Integration Into Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Robert M. Eninger, Stepanie A. Ohms, Jeremy M. Slagley

AFIT Patents

A filter-based air sampler, more specifically a filter-based air sampler capable of integration into small unmanned aerial systems is disclosed. The filter-based air sampler may include a filter assembly which has as its component parts: an open faced air intake component, a filter, and a filter support that has a central supporting grid. The filter assembly may joined to the housing of a fan, such as a centrifugal fan, with the supporting grid of the filter support being disposed over the air inlet of the fan.

Utilizing The System Engineering Trade Study Analysis Method To Analyze Patient Aeromedical Evacuation, Sara Shaghaghi, Jeremy M. Slagley, Michael E. Miller, Gaiven Varshney

Faculty Publications

The US Air Force has gone through many aeromedical patient isolation transport system designs. The first designs were developed in response to the Ebola outbreak in 2014 and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. The trade study analysis part of the system engineering design method was used to analyze the historic and current aeromedical patient contamination control transport systems. A trade study is a process that evaluates alternatives based upon various “-ilities”, such as reconfigurability, flexibility, durability, cost, and more, and performs a systematic analysis to aid designers in producing a ‘good’ design alternative given the large set of possible solutions. …

Sustainable Atos - Flying To Net Zero, Eva Maleviti, Bettina Mrusek

Publications

Pathways to Net Zero- Targets

Improve fuel-efficiency by an average of 2% per year - 2020 to 2030

Reduction in total carbon dioxide emissions to net-zero by 2050.

After 2026 carbon allowances will be zero for EU.

Rocketing Ahead: Basketball Player Plans To Apply Mechanical Engineering To Aerospace, Rocky Garza Jr.

Black History at St. Mary's University - 2025 Collection

Student Emmanuel Ewuzie is in a unique position as he is not only a successful athlete on the court, but also a successful student with aspirations in pursuing a career in aerospace engineering. While basketball and aerospace engineering may seem like they might not have many commonalities, Ewuzie can leverage his education and on-the-court experiences to become a successful scholar and leader. Coach Buddy Meyer and Associate Professor Juan Ocampo are among many people who vouch for Ewuzie’s ability to lead by example, while also having the drive to pursue goals that not only lead to personal success but also …

Evaluation Of Preferential Vaporization Characteristics Of Isolated Single Droplet Combustion In A Converging Channel, Claire Elizabeth Dixon

Theses and Dissertations

Preferential vaporization of isolated single droplets was evaluated in this study. A previously verified lab-scale experiment using flow acceleration to counteract the effects of buoyancy in a converging channel with a decreasing cross section was utilized to investigate the single isolated droplet combustion. The previous experimentation revealed differences between results and values predicted by a one-dimensional numerical simulation. To investigate if the observed differences were the result of turbulent flow and the development of a boundary layer within the channel, a model was designed and analyzed in Ansys Fluent.

The developed Ansys simulation indicated that turbulent flow and growth of …