AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Abstract

Shock-wave / boundary-layer interactions are ubiquitous on high-speed vehicles and have thus been a focus of active research for many years. Even the most basic configurations generate such interactions which, uncontrolled, can lead to high thermal and acoustic loads, and potentially vehicle failure. Interactions in laminar and turbulent boundary layers have been studied extensively over the past several decades, with many review articles published, however, investigations of interactions in transitional boundary layers have been sparse in the existing literature. Understanding the dynamic behavior of such interactions is critically important for the development of high-speed weapons and projectiles since for such smaller bodies it is anticipated that a much higher percentage of the vehicle boundary layer will be in a transitional state. Recent research at the University of Tennessee Space Institute has focused on the use of high frame rate optical diagnostic techniques for the characterization of the evolving interaction structure and dynamics as the incoming boundary layer varies from laminar to transitional and turbulent states. During this seminar, Dr. John Schmisseur will discuss the development of experimental facilities and high-speed imaging systems used in the study of shock/boundary layer interactions occurring in transitional boundary layers and provide an overview of the current understanding of transitional interactions.

Speaker

Dr. John Schmisseur

Faculty of the University of Tennessee Knoxville Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering on August 1, 2014. He teaches and leads research at the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Prior to joining the faculty, John was the Chief of the Energy, Power & Propulsion Sciences Division and Program Manager for Aerothermodynamics within the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR). During his tenure at AFOSR, John initiated and led a national strategic research plan that has guided the research efforts of multiple federal agencies and championed the transition of basic research capabilities that have advanced flagship national hypersonics technology programs and transformed test and evaluation capabilities. He envisioned the HIFiRE program which unified the efforts of AFRL, NASA, and the Australian DSTO to advance fundamental hypersonic science and technology via flight research. He is active within the professional community including having served as Chair of the AIAA Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee and a NATO Science and Technology Organisation working group. e is a Fellow of the AIAA(2012) and the AFRL (2013) and is the 2008 recipient of the Air Force Science and Engineering Award in Research Management.