entropy, density, pressure profiles
SIDE VIEW
front view of fluid flow near a growing dendrite
FRONT VIEW
The schematic diagrams shown here are of dendritic growth in a quasi 2-D chamber. The
fluid flow is driven by both shrinkage (which occurs during solidification from the melt) and
gravity-driven buoyancy of the low-density fluid, which remains after the dendrite solidifies.
side view of fluid flow near a growing dendrite
Aerodynamics

    PM&AM Research's fluids capabilities range from microfluidics to hypersonic flow.
    Incorporating reactive species and inhomogeneous initial conditions into these flows allows
    us to study phenomena with a variety of applications.

    Significant Drag Reduction indicates that our method can revolutionize supersonic and
    hypersonic flight.

  • Drag Reduction
    Our drag reduction technology presents the possibility to eliminate more than 90% of the drag
    when flying at supersonic/hypersonic speeds. The process also saves energy, allowing not only
    faster but also more efficient flight. Further benefits are reduced emission and noise from
    supersonic/hypersonic platforms.

  • Supersonic/Hypersonic Control
    Our hypersonic control technology is closely linked to our drag reduction technology. The
    control is achieved quite simply by reducing the drag in the direction in which we would like
    the vehicle to fly. This approach allows the entire airframe to be used as the control surface,
    obviating the need for vulnerable high-speed flaps that require strong actuators and
    mechanisms. The control extends to separation from supersonic/hypersonic platforms, as well
    as for ensuring that the vehicle is aligned with the direction of flight.

  • Internal Flows
    Internal flow applications are typically governed by shock dynamics and chemical kinetics,
    both of which can be positively affected with dramatic effect by the energy addition we have
    patented.

  • Shockwave Dynamics and Control
    One of our main concerns is the control of shock waves.  This interest has grown from our
    demonstration that the effect of ionization on shock propagation is primarily a result of the
    heating undergone by the gas during the ionization process (AIAA-2000-2700, Physica D 163
    (2002) 150-165). The contour plots to the left are of entropy (top), density (middle), and
    pressure (bottom). A shock wave is moving in a shock-tube to the right, followed by a contact
    discontinuity, which is heavily distorted due to the Richtmyer-Meshkov Instability. The
    quiescent gas to the right of the shock wave has an inhomogeneous temperature profile
    transverse to the direction of propagation. Along the axis of the shock-tube, the gas is hotter,
    which makes it less dense. Near the shock-tube walls, the gas is cooler, which makes it more
    dense. This results in a bowing of the shock and other very interesting fluid dynamics.

  • Vorticity
    In all of our fluid dynamics problems, we investigate vorticity generation and the resulting
    vortex dynamics to help us understand and manipulate phenomena of interest (AIAA 99-0871).
    This is one of the many connections between our group and the mathematics programs at the
    University of Arizona and the University of Warwick.

  • Convection in Solidification Problems
pmamresearch
Aerodynamics