Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Injection Studies On A Small-Scale Rotating Detonation Engine With Improved Flow Control, Jonathan J. Wyatt

Theses and Dissertations

The Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) has gained increasing attention in recent years for its potential advantages over typical deflagration combustion. A Micro-RDE design with an outer diameter of 28mm operating on Nitrous Oxide and Ethylene was recently developed, which stretched the limits of small-scale detonation engines. The testing on this rig has shown a stable one wave mode detonation with frequencies reaching 16.8 kHz. Key parameters that influence the detonation wave mode are cell size, fill height, and wave speed, which are heavily influence d by injection schemes. Previous testing utilized a partially premixed jets in crossflow (JIC) injection scheme, …

Optimal Sizing And Control Of Hybrid Rocket Vehicles, Srija Ryakam

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

In the present work, a genetic algorithm is used to optimize a hybrid rocket engine in order to minimize the propellant required for a specific mission. In a hybrid rocket engine, the mass flow rate of the oxidizer can be throttled to enhance the performance of the rocket. First, an analysis of the internal ballistics and the ascent trajectory has been carried out for different mass flow rates of the oxidizer as a function of time, for a fixed amount of oxidizer, in order to study the effect of throttling. Two equivalent problems are considered: in the first problem the …

Data-Driven Damage Initiation Criteria For Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites, Alexander Richard Post

College of Computing and Digital Media Dissertations

Computational progressive failure analysis (PFA) is vital for the design, verification, and validation of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. However, the computational cost of PFA is usually high due to the complexity of the model. The damage initiation criterion is one of the essential components of a PFA code to determine the transition of a material’s state from pristine or microscopically damaged to macroscopically damaged. In this thesis, data-driven models are developed to determine the matrix damage initiation based on the Mohr-Coulomb model and Hashin model. For 2D plane stress states, the computational cost for determining damage initiation can …

Analysis Of Energy Utilization And Losses For Jet-Propelled Vehicles, Mohammad Abbas, David W. Riggins

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The global control volume-based energy utilization balance for an aerospace vehicle is extended to allow for the analysis of jet-propelled vehicles. The methodology is first developed for analyzing the energy utilization and entropy generation characteristics of jet engines without airframe considerations. This methodology, when combined with separate energy utilization analysis for an unpowered airframe, allows for the assessment of a powered vehicle. Wake entropy generation for a powered vehicle is shown to be the summation of the wake entropy generation associated with the propulsion system (no airframe) and the unpowered airframe. The fundamental relationship between overall entropy generation and the …

Exploring Dft+U Parameter Space With A Bayesian Calibration Assisted By Markov Chain Monte Carlo Sampling, Pedram Tavadze, Reese Boucher, Guillermo Avendaño-Franco, Keenan X. Kocan, Sobhit Singh, Viviana Dovale-Farelo, Wilfredo Ibarra-Hernández, Matthew B. Johnson, David S. Mebane, Aldo H. Romero

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The density-functional theory is widely used to predict the physical properties of materials. However, it usually fails for strongly correlated materials. A popular solution is to use the Hubbard correction to treat strongly correlated electronic states. Unfortunately, the values of the Hubbard U and J parameters are initially unknown, and they can vary from one material to another. In this semi-empirical study, we explore the U and J parameter space of a group of iron-based compounds to simultaneously improve the prediction of physical properties (volume, magnetic moment, and bandgap). We used a Bayesian calibration assisted by Markov chain Monte Carlo …

Graphene Flake Self-Assembly Enhancement Via Stretchable Platforms And External Mechanical Stimuli, Harrison A. Loh, Claudio Marchi, Luca Magagnin, Konstantinos A. Sierros

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

While the green production and application of 2D functional nanomaterials, such as graphene flakes, in films for stretchable and wearable technologies is a promising platform for advanced technologies, there are still challenges involved in the processing of the deposited material to improve properties such as electrical conductivity. In applications such as wearable biomedical and flexible energy devices, the widely used flexible and stretchable substrate materials are incompatible with high-temperature processing traditionally employed to improve the electrical properties, which necessitates alternative manufacturing approaches and new steps for enhancing the film functionality. We hypothesize that a mechanical stimulus, in the form of …

Investigations Of The Negative Temperature Coefficient Region Of Sustainable Aviation Fuels For Mitigation Of Global Warming, Richard C. Smith Iii

Honors College Theses

An investigation was led to determine the correlations between the durations of Ignition Delay (ID), Combustion Delay (CD), Derived Cetane Number (DCN), Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC), Low-Temperature Heat Release (LTHR) regions, ringing intensity, and precent mass burn, and the effect of blending the Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthetic aerospace fuel (SAF), iso-paraffinic kerosene (IPK), with petroleum derived Jet-A aerospace fuel on these regions. Neat blends of Jet-A and IPK and three by mass blends of the fuels will be researched. These blends include mass percentages of 75%Jet-A and 25%IPK (75Jet-A25IPK), 50%Jet-A 50%IPK (50Jet-A50IPK), and 25%Jet-A 75%IPK (25Jet-A75IPK). The study will utilize a …

Fatigue Damage Quantification And Life Estimation With Provision For Microstructure, Arash Pourbagheri Jirandehi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation provides methodologies for the quantification of different forms of fatigue damage by considering the role of microstructure. The laws of thermodynamics in conjunction with Finite Element Method (FEM) are utilized to devise thermodynamically-base frameworks for the estimation of cyclic damage in polycrystalline metals. Accordingly, a microstructure-sensitive platform for fatigue life estimation is introduced. The proposed framework is assessed for 3D printed metallic alloys at room and elevated temperatures. Further, it is used to analyze the fatigue performance difference between additively manufactured Inconel 718 in three print orientations. This research is of fundamental vital interest because it ensures that …

Issue 18: Contributors, Don Flournoy

Online Journal of Space Communication

List of Issue 18 Contributors

Sunsat Design Competition 2015-2016 First Place Winner – Team Space Transport: Power Satellites Beamed Energy Bootstrapping, Keith Henson, Anna Nesterova

Online Journal of Space Communication

This International SunSat Design Competition first-place winner for 2016 describes a beamed energy transport system that will operate in Space above low earth orbit (LEO) as a way to move power satellite parts into high orbits.

This design, entitled “Beamed Energy Bootstrapping,” makes use of small propulsion power satellites to provide the energy for space-based vehicles using electric arcjets. The proposal lays out a scheme to get the first propulsion power satellite in place without damage as it passes through the orbiting space junk below 2000 km.

Click here to see the video: Space Transport for Power Satellites Beamed Energy …

Sunsat Design Competition 2015-2016 Second Place Winner – Team Pathway To Power : Wireless Power Transfer, Javier Tandazo, Ethan Wong, Curtis Waggoner, John Guggenheim, Alexander Carter

Online Journal of Space Communication

Solar Power Satellites (SPS) using Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) to beam renewable energy to consumers on earth face three grand challenges: moving parts, heat dissipation, and radio interference. Solutions to each of these “show stoppers” are presented here. Further, a progressively more-complex pathway is described which starts where we are now and leads step-wise to implementation of large-scale Space Solar Power (SSP).

The first two grand challenges are addressed by a novel SPS design based on a thin-walled cylinder configuration of solar panels. The remaining challenge is tackled through a newly-discovered antenna configuration which allows dramatic reduction in radio/telecom interference …

Sunsat Design Competition 2014-2015 Third Place Winner – Team Martian: Space Solar Power Test Bed, Jeremy Straub, Tristan Plante, Benjamin Kading, Alex Holland, Landon Klein, Jordan Forbord

Online Journal of Space Communication

We propose a four-stage plan to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of Space Solar Power (SSP) for use on Earth. Our project goal is to achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) by means of: 1) a test mission in low Earth orbit using a small spacecraft; 2) that will support a manned mission to Mars; 3) that includes a bent pipe experiment (power supplied from Earth, to a spacecraft and back to Earth), and 4) to complete system deployment.

The primary impediment to SSP implementation is thought to be the acceptance of the system by those on Earth who may be …

Sunsat Design Competition 2014-2015 First Place Winner – Team Cast: Multi-Rotary Joints Sps, Xinbin Hou, Meng Li, Lili Niu, Lu Zhou, Ying Chen, Zhengai Cheng, Haipeng Ji

Online Journal of Space Communication

Space Power Satellite (SPS) is a huge spacecraft designed to collect solar energy in space for supplying electric power to the electric grid on the ground. The SPS concept was first proposed by Dr. Peter Glaser in 1968.

Various studies on SPS in various countries have been produced over the past forty years. Today, there are multiple variations on this early concept, both in innovation and in optimization. Because of the huge size, immense mass and high power of these SPS installations, there are many technological difficulties.

Here, a new Multi-Rotary Joints SPS (MR-SPS) concept is proposed. The large solar …

Sunsat Design Competition 2014-2015 Second Place Winner – Team Sunflower: Thermal Power Satellite, Keith Henson, Steve Nixon, Kris Holland, Anna Nesterova

Online Journal of Space Communication

Space-based Solar Power has failed to be competitive on cost in spite of decades of study. A new approach appears to resolve the cost issue, undercutting coal and opening huge markets for low cost solar power from space. There are two parts to the problem. First is the cost of lifting parts to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO; second is the mass of parts that make up a power satellite.

Our team is proposing a combination that makes use of Skylon to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and a 15,000 ton payload ground powered electric propulsion from LEO to GEO. This strategy …

Sunsat Design Competition 2013-2014 Third Place Winner – Team University Of North Dakota: Nano Ssp Satellite, Corey Bergsrud, Robert Bernaciak, Ben Kading, John Mcclure, Jeremy Straub, Subin Shahukhal, Karl Williams

Online Journal of Space Communication

This work presents the conceptualization of a Space-to-Space Microwave Wireless Power Transmission (S2S-MWPT) experimental demonstration mission using small spacecraft. Literature reviews [1, 2] suggest a stepwise procedure for technology demonstrations in support of advancing space solar power satellite (SSPS) systems. These technologies should be verified first on Earth and then in-space using small satellites. This project built its S2S-MWPT demonstration concept within the University NanoSat program restrictions (dimensions of 50cm x 50cm x 60cm and mass of 50kg). The idea is to use these upper limit restrictions to develop the MWPT spacecraft (MicroSat). Contained inside the MicroSat …

Sunsat Design Competition 2013-2014 Second Place Winner – Team Solar Maximum Llc: Sun-Synchronous Orbits, Danny R. Jones, Anna Nesterova

Online Journal of Space Communication

The orbital location of PowerSats plays a critical role in determining the mass of the solar power satellite (PowerSat) transmitter and the size of the rectenna on the Earth’s surface. These in turn play an important role in the cost of deploying the PowerSat, especially the cost of launching the PowerSat into orbit as the transmitter makes up a large part of the PowerSats mass. We will consider a new approach to PowerSat orbital positioning by considering a circular sun-synchronous orbit at 5,185.3 kilometers with an inclination of 142.1 degrees. Locating the PowerSat at this location offers several benefits and …

Sunsat Design Competition 2013-2014 First Place Winner – Team Rajiv Gandhi University: Helioastra, Akhil Raj Kumar Kalapala, Krishna Bhavana Sivaraju

Online Journal of Space Communication

HelioAstra is a creative design and visualization of an advanced Space Solar Power system. Its concept is validated by a credible science and engineering approach and an innovative business plan.

The space and ground receiving segments are made up of high efficiency Fresnel lens concentrator quantum dot solar cells. The solar array in space is sized at 933 m2. It delivers 1 MW (1000 kW) of perennial, clean and eco-friendly solar electric power at the bus-bars on the ground.

A solid state laser system containing Neodymium doped Yttrium Aluminium garnet (Nd: Y3Al5O12) will accurately and efficiently transmit power. A ground …

Traffic Collision Avoidance System: False Injection Viability, John Hannah, Robert F. Mills, Richard Dill, Douglas D. Hodson

Faculty Publications

Safety is a simple concept but an abstract task, specifically with aircraft. One critical safety system, the Traffic Collision Avoidance System II (TCAS), protects against mid-air collisions by predicting the course of other aircraft, determining the possibility of collision, and issuing a resolution advisory for avoidance. Previous research to identify vulnerabilities associated with TCAS’s communication processes discovered that a false injection attack presents the most comprehensive risk to veritable trust in TCAS, allowing for a mid-air collision. This research explores the viability of successfully executing a false injection attack against a target aircraft, triggering a resolution advisory. Monetary constraints precluded …

Wave Energy A New Energy Mix To Produce Green Hydrogen : A Potential Future Maritime Shipping Fuel : A Study On The Port Of Ngqura, Southern Africa's "Green Status Port", Zimasa Ntombemveli Macingwane

World Maritime University Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Issue 17: Contributors, Don Flournoy

Online Journal of Space Communication

List of Issue 17 Contributors

A Us-India Power Exchange Towards A Space Power Grid, Brendan Dessanti, Nicholas Picon, Carlos Rios, Shaan Shah, Narayanan Komerath

Online Journal of Space Communication

The Space Power Grid (SPG) architecture
described in papers from our group since 2006, is an
evolutionary approach to realizing the global dream of
Space Solar Power (SSP). SPG first concentrates on helping
terrestrial power plants become viable, aligning with public
policy priorities. It enables a real -time power exchange
through Space to help locate new plants at ideal but remote
sites, smooth supply fluctuations, reach high-valued
markets, and achieve baseload status. With retail cost kept
to moderate levels, a constellation grows in 17 years to 100
power relay satellites at 2000 km sun-synchronous and
equatorial orbits and 250 terrestrial …

From Uranium Enrichment To Renewable Energy: Conversion Of The Us-Doe’S Former Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (Ports) In Piketon, Ohio, Into A Clean Energy Production Facility Within A Decade, Don Flournoy, Shmuel Roth, Mohammad Ala-Uddin

Online Journal of Space Communication

The large-scale energy production projects described here, of which the
Portsmouth Solar Power Production site at Piketon Ohio is the illustrative
example, are chosen to describe how multi-megawatt quantities of “baseload”
renewable electrical power can be reliably generated from terrestrial solar farms.
Also to be shown are the steps to be taken in making these energy resources
simultaneously available to local and global power grids, 24-hours-a-day 12-
months-a-year.
This paper focuses attention on The U.S. Department Of Energy’s former
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS), a Cold War-era uranium
enrichment plant located on a secure 3,700+ acres in a rural area …

Space Solar Power Aids Space Settlement, Gaurav Kumar, Deepak Talwar, Harmanjot Singh Walia, Mahiyal B. Singh, Kaenat Seth, Ishaan Mehta, Navdeep Singh Makkar

Online Journal of Space Communication

The Grand Prize for the 2011 NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest went to a team of 7 students (11-12 grades) from Punjab, India for creating the Hyperion Space Settlement. This year the contest received 355 submissions from 1078 students sponsored by 114 teachers. Entries came from 14 countries: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Japan, Pakistan, Romania, Singapore, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The prize was conferred on the students during the International Space Development Conference 2011 (ISDC 2011) held in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.

Advisors: The teachers of Spring Dale Senior School in Amritsar, India. Stephen …

Space Solar Rectifying Antenna On Earth, Corey Bergsrud, Timothy Dito, Matthew Anderson, Matthew Clausing, Chase Freidig

Online Journal of Space Communication

The realization of solar power from space is becoming increasingly closer as a solution to solving the continued growth in energy demand. Space based solar power is also being perceived as an alternative solution for non-renewable energy resources. Future solar power satellites will be positioned in orbit around the Earth where they will collect solar radiation. That radiation will be transformed into a microwave energy beam that is targeted to a receiving rectifying antenna or “rectenna” located on Earth’s surface. The received microwave energy will be converted into direct current electricity.

This presentation focuses on the microwave patch antennas used …

From Uranium Enrichment To Renewable Energy, Harold Bon, Solomon Brown, Michael Cisneros, Kent Engel, Tyler Goldberg, Matt Kissel, Alexa Krivoniak, Brandon Lutz, Zach Reese, Amanda Roberts, Colin Stonerook, Zoe Zeszut, Anthony Zoccola

Online Journal of Space Communication

The goal of this Science/Engineering visualization is to show how gigawatt quantities of renewable energy can be generated at former nuclear processing sites as they are repurposed into industrial scale electrical power generation stations. The breakthrough product of this research is the design of an integrated terrestrial solar/space energy receiving station that will produce “baseload” electricity 24 hours a day.

This research focuses attention on a Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility located on 3,700 acres of land in a rural area of SE Ohio. This site is judged to be suitable for research leading to the first-ever combination ground-based and …

Space Solar Power With Sunsynchronous Orbits, Michael Blohm, Alan Guy, Kyle Perkins, Adam Roades, Samantha Williams

Online Journal of Space Communication

The basic problem being addressed here is the high initial cost of solar power satellite (SPS) systems. The cost is higher for GEO orbits because of the large solar array and transmitter sizes required from that distance, and the expense of lifting such a mass into the higher orbits. Aperture size is proportional to the distance the power is beamed; thus transmitter apertures can be smaller when nearer to Earth.

Decreasing the distance energy must be beamed through space means that the powersat need not be so large, or as expensive. Implementation of sunsynchronous sunsats will likely be a more …

Solar Sails: Towards An Early Profitable Powersat, Jake Coggiano, John Dees, Ryan Heitkemper, Lauren Valko

Online Journal of Space Communication

Successful development of space solar power would provide vast quantities of clean electrical energy for the next few billion years. Such a prize is worth considerable effort and risk. However, the technical difficulties and the huge scale of proposed systems, requiring enormous up front costs and long development times, have prevented SSP from making much progress.

If a way could be found to field a small SSP system profitably, even if limited to niche markets, operational progress could be made with relatively small investments over short time scales. This visualization explores the concept of a “thin-film heliogyro” – a solar …

Millimeter Wave Space Power Grid, Brendan Dessanti, Nicholas Picon, Carlos Rios, Shaan Shah

Online Journal of Space Communication

The Space Power Grid (SPG) architecture illustrated in this visualization represents an evolutionary approach to realizing the global dream of Space Solar Power (SSP). The Georgia Tech approach to SPG concentrates on helping terrestrial power plants become viable, aligning with public policy priorities. It enables a real-time power exchange through space to help locate new plants at ideal but remote sites, smooth supply fluctuations, reach high-valued markets, and achieve baseload status. Over time, this approach will enable other architectures and applications of space solar power.

Advisor: Dr. Narayanan Komerath, Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology; Atlanta, …

Space Solar Power For Agriculture, Max Alvarez, Alex Wiseman, Alex Welsh, Rashmi Sharma, Adedayo Ogundimu, Brian Woods

Online Journal of Space Communication

As the global population increases, it's becoming more important for nations to be able to feed themselves. Unfortunately, while some developing nations may be able to produce large amounts of fruits and vegetables, they may lack access to facilities for food preservation. This problem is at the heart of food security issues across Asia and Africa. Working in consultation with Peter Garretson, an International Affairs Fellow in India, our Ohio University student team has designed a space-based solar power solution that addresses this need, with the potential to provide many secondary benefits. While our project targets the Indian subcontinent and …

Space Solar Power For Seawater Desalination, Michael Blohm, Kristen Ohlemeier, Kyle Perkins, Adam Roades, Matthew Wulker

Online Journal of Space Communication

Seawater desalination has existed for decades as a proven technology for supplying water in coastal areas; however, desalination processes are energy intensive and this has reduced their widespread use. It is noted that California offshore oil and gas platforms already use seawater desalination to produce fresh water for platform personnel and equipment.

This visualization draws on the proposal that, as California coastal oil and gas platforms come to the end of their productive lives, they be re-commissioned for use as large-scale fresh water production facilities. Solar arrays, mounted on off-shore platforms, are able to provide some of the power needed …