Dual-cavity, high-repetition rate pulsed laser for flow control and high-speed flow applications.

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This request for a high-power pulsed laser is made to maintain our research capacity and contributions to novel technologies at an internationally competitive level. This equipment enables investigations of three-dimensional spatially and temporally resolved flow fields and high-speed aerodynamics. This capability supports research programs focusing on the development of autonomous flow control systems as applied to emerging technologies. The program addresses the renewable energy and aerospace sectors. A focus of the research are applications to energy-harvesting systems for power generation from shallow, rapidly moving rivers. The energy potential of these water ways typical of the prairie and foothill regions remain mainly untapped because these do not lend themselves to traditional hydraulic turbine exploitation. Energy harvesters aim to use the energy of flow-induced vibrations on structures. This approach is thus an important step supporting transition from fossil-fuel based power generation. The second focus is on the development of propulsion systems for high-altitude, supersonic unmanned autonomous vehicles (UAV). High-speed UAVs are the foundation for cheap, low-orbit reusable delivery systems to replace the expensive, traditional rocket-powered launch vehicles used today. Lowering the cost to access space is the key to growing commercial space programs. This work is supported by Canadian industrial partners. The program supports the generation of fundamental knowledge and the development of advanced, autonomous control systems. Underpinning the research is the generation of new techniques and novel applications of “big-data” strategies. Cornerstone elements of the research program are strategies and methodologies for: (i) creating compact, low-order models for representing complex processes in a tractable form; and (ii) developing machine learning strategies for predicting and controlling flow behavior to achieve relevant engineering outcomes. These cornerstone elements are foundations for artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, a rapidly developing technology sector nationally and internationally. The program thus trains highly qualified personnel with high technical expertise and skills suited for next generation technologies and forward-looking economic development in Canada.