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Research Thrusts |
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Engineering Education Innovation
As the world continues to change with globalization and technological advances so must engineering education p...
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Advanced Power System
In the face of an impending energy crisis, the Advanced Power Systems research center is exploring alternative...
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Space Systems
The Space Systems Research group is creating innovative electric propulsion systems to make space travel more ...
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Mechanics of Multi-scale Materials
The Mechanics of Multi-scale Materials research group uncovers the relationships of structures across the full...
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Multi-scale Sensors and Systems
The Multi-scale Sensors and Systems Research Group specializes in the design, fabrication, integration, and te...
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Sustainable Manufacturing and Design
Many of the campus research efforts on sustainability are coordinated by the Sustainable Futures Institute (SF...
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Research Projects
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Michigan/AFRL Center of Excellence in Electronic Propulsion |
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Project Date:
1/2010 - 1/2015 |
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Sponsor:
University of Michigan
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ELECTROSPRAY PROPULSION
Michigan Technological University will conduct research in three areas: electrospray propulsion, field-reverseed configuration devices, and non-invasive plasma optical diagnostics.
MTU has pioneered a unique micromachining technique for fabricating all-metal electrospray structures for space propulsion. Unlike devices built using silicon MEMS protocols the all-metal emitters are suitable for use with reactive propellants such as AF315. The all-metal structures can also tolerate very high temperatures.
MTU will investigate the use of externally wetted emitters as well as internally wetted capillaries for use as electrospray sources for space propulsion. Research will focus on the use of AF315 as propellant. Investigations will address fabrication challenges, device performance, plume characterization, and spacecraft interaction.
FIELD-REVERSED CONFIGURATIONS
The FRC presents a unique plasma geometry that is well suited for plasma propulsion. Because the FRC plasmoid is not linked to the structural magnetic flux, the plasma is not attached to the open field lines and can be ejected from the formation region as a self-contained entity. Furthermore, FRCs result from the inductive "electrodeless" formation, avoiding the failure mode imposed by electrode erosion that is common to contemporary plasma thrusters. Motivated by the surprising stability of FRCs and their ability to translate while remaining coherent, MTU and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Edwards AFB will collaborate on investigation into the feasibility of FRC space propulsion. MTU has designed and built a unique co-axial FRC mounted to a large expansion chamber that will be used for Michiagn AFRL Center of Excellence in Electric Propulsion (MACEEP) research.
The goal of MACEEP research will be to determine the optimal physical and electrical configuration of a coaxial FRC for space propulsion and to characterize the conversion of stored electrical energy into plasmoid kinetic energy during translation and ejection. MTU researchers will employ a number of diagnostic techniques - to include magnetic field probes, electrostatic probes and optical diagnostics - to quantify the energy conversion process during FRC formation and ejection. Thrust will be estimated from exhaust plume properties.
NON-INVASIVE OPTICAL DIAGNOSTICS
MTU is currently developing an optical diagnostic technique that can, for the first time, obtain direct measurements of electron density and electron energy distribution function (EEDF) within the discharge chamber and near-field plume of a Hall thruster. The MTU technique uses a 1,000-mJ-per-pulse ND-YAG laser to induce laser Thomson scattering (LTS) from the free electrons in a plasma. The scattered radiation is measured using a triple-grating spectrograph and electron-multiplied CCD camera with single-photon detection capability. The scattered spectra can directly provide density and EEDF without perturbing the plasma. Researchers will use MACEEP funding to demonstrate this technique and apply the measurement to Hall thrusters and FRC plasmas. It is antifcipated that knowledge gained from LTS measurements will provide insight into Hall thruster cross-field mobility as well as FRC internal energy storage and coversion.
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