Gerard M. Faeth Combustion, turbulence, multi-phase flow, heat transfer, propulsion. The properties of turbulence generated by dispersed phases and the properties of the wakes of dispersed phases are studied. Free Turbulent Flows Properties of developing nonbuoyant jets and buoyant plumes are studied. Properties Fundamental mechanisms of soot growth and oxidation in flames are studied. Atomization Phenomena Primary breakup of turbulent liquids into drops is studied.
Measurements involve holography and phase-discriminating laser velocimetry.
Alec D. Gallimore Advanced spacecraft propulsion, plasmadynamics, diagnostics, orbital plasma simulation. Advanced Space Propulsion Systems Novel propulsion concepts which heat a propellant with electrical current or apply electromagnetic forces to accelerate the propellant offer exhaust velocities that are an order of magnitude larger than those of chemical systems. Research is conducted to improve the efficiency of the conversion of electrical power to kinetic power in the exhaust. Also investigated is the impact of plasmas on spacecraft health and communications. Non-intrusive diagnostics characterize thruster plumes.