Metallic powdered fuels in high-speed air-breathing engines

该项目与空间发动机系统公司（SES）合作，旨在了解纳米技术在改进航空航天推进系统中的作用。这项工作是为了支持SES目前正在开发的高速吸气式航空发动机。具体来说，将评估纳米颗粒表面涂层和金属纳米颗粒悬浮液在工作流体中的潜在好处。预计表面涂层和颗粒悬浮液都将显著提高对流换热率。科学文献主要报道了当颗粒悬浮在液体中时的传热增益。微粒悬浮液在气体中的应用是提高高速吸气推进性能的新方法。研究结果将用于改进热交换器的设计，并确定这些颗粒是否可以用作替代燃料并提高发动机性能。纳米涂层实验室、激波管设备和计算流体动力学（CFD）集群将用于研究这些问题。该项目将有利于SES航空发动机的发展。在该领域的领导地位和高素质人才的发展预计作为项目的成果。

In collaboration with Space Engine Systems (SES), this project aims to understand the role of nano-technology in improving aerospace propulsion systems. This work is in support of a high-speed, air-breathing, aerospace engine that is currently being developed by SES. Specifically, potential benefits of nano-particle surface coatings and metallic nano-particle suspensions in working fluids will be assessed. It is expected that both the surface coatings and particle suspensions will significantly improve rates of convective heat transfer. The scientific literature mainly reports heat transfer gains when particles are suspended in liquids. The application of particle suspensions in gases for the purpose of enhancing high-speed air-breathing propulsion performance is novel. Results will be exploited to improve heat exchanger design and to determine if such particles can be used as a replacement fuel and improve engine performance. A nano-coating laboratory, shock-tube facility and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) cluster will be used to study these problems. This project will benefit SES in the development of their aerospace engine. Leadership in the field and the development of highly qualified personnel are expected as outcomes of the project.