Welcome to the Laboratory for Advanced Propulsion and Energy Research
We study energy conversion in advanced propulsion and power generation systems with a focus on hypersonic airbreathing propulsion, advanced aerospace gas turbines, and sustainable aviation fuels. Additionally, we investigate new power systems based on novel energy conversion pathways including thermal, electrochemical, and catalytic processes and chemistry of alternative jet fuels. Often, the work is based on the application of novel laser and optical diagnostics. We work closely with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Army Research Laboratory (ARL), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Argonne National Laboratory, and Illinois Fire Services Institute (IFSI) to develop both novel diagnostics strategies and apply them in research.
Our group is part of the following research programs:
- Academic lead for the UAS Propulsion Center (CUP).
- Member of Army Research Laboratory – Central.
- Member of the FAA Center of Excellence – ASCENT (National Jet Fuel Combustion Program)
- PI for the FAA National Alternative Jet Fuel Database
- Member of the DOE PSAAP Phase III Center: CEESD (Scramjet Design)
- PI for the M7ai Hypersonic Scramjet combustion test program
Featured (above image) Ongoing research activity sample in propulsion and energy research. Please check the research tabs for more details.
News
Our Group’s Hypersonic effort in Aerospace America
Our Office of Naval Research MURI on hypersonic turbulence and chemistry interaction is featured in Aerospace America. https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/departments/reducing-the-need-for-hypersonic-tunnel-testing/
M1 Gas Turbine Campaign at Argonne APS Complete
Students Eric Wood and Caleb Trotter along with Dr. Eric Mayhew (ARL) and Dr. Alan Kastengren (Argonne) successfully completed the recent campaign at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source to carry out X-ray radiography in the M1 gas turbine combustor. Current tests were geared towards understanding lean blow out and ignition physics at high altitude conditions … Continue reading M1 Gas Turbine Campaign at Argonne APS Complete
Shruti Ghanekar recognized for her contributions in Fire Safety Research
Shruti Ghanekar was recognized for her contributions to improving Firefighter Safety and presented the Award for Student Excellence in Furthering Firefighter Life Safety by the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Shruti’s graduate research is focused on developing infrared absorption spectroscopy based measurement systems and deploying them in residential fire environments to quantify and study species … Continue reading Shruti Ghanekar recognized for her contributions in Fire Safety Research