Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles. Future aircraft for flight at hypersonic speeds require sharp leading edges for the best aerodynamic performance. Sharp leading edges incur high heat loads and cannot be adequately cooled with current technologies. The project aim is to investigate novel surface materials that emit electrons when heated. This emission of electrons from the surface can significantly contribute to the cooling of the sharp leading edges. This project is expecte ....Electron Transpiration Cooling of Hypersonic Vehicles. Future aircraft for flight at hypersonic speeds require sharp leading edges for the best aerodynamic performance. Sharp leading edges incur high heat loads and cannot be adequately cooled with current technologies. The project aim is to investigate novel surface materials that emit electrons when heated. This emission of electrons from the surface can significantly contribute to the cooling of the sharp leading edges. This project is expected to deliver new experimental data on novel surface materials exposed to a hypersonic flow environment and computer models that can simulate their cooling effect. This investigation will contribute towards enabling technologies for sustained hypersonic flight by overcoming critical head load limitations.Read moreRead less
Wind Tunnel Testing of a Hypersonic Plasma Engine. This project intends to evaluate an electric engine that is capable of speeds in excess of 10000 km/hr, for access to space and responsive surveillance in our region. The expertise of Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin Australia, the University of Qld and DST Group are to be combined to complete experimental and theoretical evaluations of an air-breathing plasma engine that is capable of out-performing rockets and scramjets. US Air Force Research ....Wind Tunnel Testing of a Hypersonic Plasma Engine. This project intends to evaluate an electric engine that is capable of speeds in excess of 10000 km/hr, for access to space and responsive surveillance in our region. The expertise of Lockheed Martin, Lockheed Martin Australia, the University of Qld and DST Group are to be combined to complete experimental and theoretical evaluations of an air-breathing plasma engine that is capable of out-performing rockets and scramjets. US Air Force Research Laboratory results will also be compared and shared. This project provides opportunities for young Australian researchers to be participate and lead an exciting new field of propulsion. It is anticipated that the program will be the foundations to future flight demonstrations from Woomera, Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120102277
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Design optimisation and physical behaviour of fuel injection and mixing for innovative scramjet concepts. Scramjets are a potential game changer for satellite launch and high speed flight. The phenomena that will make or break them are complex, and achieving optimal designs is hugely challenging. This project combines advanced optimisation techniques and flow simulations to find, and understand, optimal fuel injection for innovative scramjet designs.
Understanding flapping aerodynamics in non-optimal environments. This project aims to produce a deeper understanding of factors affecting the aerodynamic forces and detailed flow dynamics of a flapping insect-like wing over a multi-dimensional parameter space with an initial focus on micro-air vehicles. The project will determine the effects of oncoming flow uniformities and environmental factors on flight performance, and how to correct for these factors to stabilise flight using feedback contr ....Understanding flapping aerodynamics in non-optimal environments. This project aims to produce a deeper understanding of factors affecting the aerodynamic forces and detailed flow dynamics of a flapping insect-like wing over a multi-dimensional parameter space with an initial focus on micro-air vehicles. The project will determine the effects of oncoming flow uniformities and environmental factors on flight performance, and how to correct for these factors to stabilise flight using feedback control. The project will use advanced computational and experimental modelling and analysis to provide specific design guidance and strategies for very-small and highly functional micro air vehicles for wide ranging applications in areas including transport, marine engineering and sport.Read moreRead less
Elucidating the inertial force mechanisms of turbulence. The turbulent flow of fluids (for example, air, water) near a solid surface is of enormous technological importance. The proposed research will advance engineering prediction and control capabilities by revealing how the unsteady eddying motions produce the apparent inertial force that distinguishes turbulent flows from their laminar counterparts.
Impinging supersonic jets: stability and control - with application to cold spray. Understanding aero-acoustics instabilities of impinging supersonic jets is vital to improve the energy efficiency of cold spray manufacturing. This project will generate the necessary knowledge to understand and control these instabilities, in order to improve the cold spray process and to extend the range of application of impinging supersonic jets flows.
Computing transient inflow receptivity with application to high-lift airfoils. Applications of the research will lead to more efficient wind and gas turbines, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions in power generation and air transport. The project will provide high-level research training for a Research Fellow and a PhD student in an emerging area that links fundamental fluid mechanics, optimal control and optimal engineering design. Also the project will foster international collaboration w ....Computing transient inflow receptivity with application to high-lift airfoils. Applications of the research will lead to more efficient wind and gas turbines, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions in power generation and air transport. The project will provide high-level research training for a Research Fellow and a PhD student in an emerging area that links fundamental fluid mechanics, optimal control and optimal engineering design. Also the project will foster international collaboration with partner researchers and organizations in the United Kingdom.Read moreRead less
The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the t ....The development of active third-generation heavy vehicle aerodynamic drag reducing devices to reduce future transport emissions. The potential for emission reductions through aerodynamic improvements is particularly apparent in long haul heavy vehicle transport. By developing active devices to be fitted to the heavy vehicle trailer of the future this work offers drag reduction potential from current levels of up to 40 per cent. If widely implemented these devices could play a major part in the transport sector meeting medium term emissions targets. If successful not only will the project develop unique components, it will support heavy vehicle research and development that is so important to maintaining a strong manufacturing presence in Australia, especially in regional centres, such as Ballarat where Maxitrans has major headquarters. Read moreRead less
Practical wall-turbulence drag reduction through adaptive control. Long term increases in the price of aviation fuel disproportionately impacts on Australian carriers, given our geographic isolation and the resulting greater percentage of long-haul flights. The resulting higher fares will also have a direct impact on international tourism to Australia. One way to reduce the impact of rising fuel cost, and to reduce CO2 and other emissions at the same time, is to decrease drag on aircraft. This ....Practical wall-turbulence drag reduction through adaptive control. Long term increases in the price of aviation fuel disproportionately impacts on Australian carriers, given our geographic isolation and the resulting greater percentage of long-haul flights. The resulting higher fares will also have a direct impact on international tourism to Australia. One way to reduce the impact of rising fuel cost, and to reduce CO2 and other emissions at the same time, is to decrease drag on aircraft. This project will develop understanding in wall turbulence and adaptive control, and use this to experimentally demonstrate active reductions in skin friction drag. The results are equally applicable to a range of other applications including sea transport, pipe flows and combustor designs.Read moreRead less
The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this plan ....The structure of turbulent boundary layers. This research has an enormous impact in many fields of engineering - for example, in aeronautical, mechanical, chemical, meteorological and biomedical engineering. The resulting energy and economic savings and the reduction in atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gasses will ultimately impact on areas such as global climatic change and the energy sustainability of our urban environment, thus influencing the well-being of all people living on this planet. This research project will result in technological advancement and provide important training for future generations of researchers. This will entrench the Australian engineering and scientific community as world leaders in this area of scientific research.Read moreRead less