Our laboratory is dedicated to advancing the understanding and modeling of plasma and electromagnetic fluid dynamics. Through fundamental research and numerical modeling, we aim to contribute to the development of innovative technologies that harness plasma and electromagnetic fluids for applications in aerospace and energy engineering.
Aerospace Engineering Field
Recent research topics on high-enthalpy plasma flow around spacecraft in planetary atmospheric entry flight:
- Numerical modeling of thermochemical nonequilibrium plasma flows around a spacecraft in planetary atmospheric flights
- Development of numerical simulator of high-enthalpy plasma wind tunnels (Arc-heated and rf-ICP wind tunnels)
- Innovative active thermal protection systems such as MHD heatshield
Recent research topics on electric thrusters using radio-frequency inductively coupled plasmas (rf-ICPs):
- Numerical modeling of nonequilibrium supersonic plasma flows in rf-ICP thrusters using multi propellants such as Ar/He/H2/Air/CO2
- Optical diagnosis of nonequilbrium supersonic plasma flows coupled with collisional-radiative (C-R) model
- Experimental and numerical studies on improvement in thrust performance of rf-ICP thrustres
Recent research topics on active flow control around airfoils using DBD plasma actuators:
- Experimental study on optimization of applied high-frequency voltage forms for improvement in DBD plasma actuator
- Effectiveness evaluation of DBD plasma actuator in high-Reynold- number flows
Electric Power & Energy Engineering Field
Recent research topics on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) power generators driven by noble gas plasma flows
- Understanding of the behavior of supersonic, non-equilibrium noble gas plasma in MHD generators
- Development of suppression techniques of plasma instabilities in MHD generators
- Optimization of generator shape and operating conditions for high-performance MHD power generation
Recent research topics on high-power arcs in gas and vacuum circuit breakers (GCBs and VCBs) for electric power networks
- Providing the basic data of thermodynamic and transport properties of interruption gases (SF6/CO2/N2/O2/He/Ar, etc.) in a wide range of temperature and pressure
- Development of MHD numerical simulation technique coupled with radiative transfer analysis of gas-blasted arcs in GCBs
- Finding solutions to practically improve the interruption performance of eco-friendly and compact GCBs using interruption gases alternative to SF6 gas which is an extremely powerful greenhouse gas
- Development of MHD-PIC hybrid numerical simulation technique of arcs in VCBs
Recent research topics on plasma spraying process
- Experimental and numerical studies on the mechanism of dynamic behavior of arc in non-transferred dc plasma torches
- Numerical modeling of plasma-suspension interaction in axial injection suspension plasma spray
- Development of a low-power, highdurability, and low-cost dc plasma torch with externally applied magnetic field
Recent research topics on rotating co-axial MHD energy conversion device for advanced utilization of wind energy
- Theoretical analysis of liquid-metal MHD flow in the device
- Numerical modeling of liquid-metal MHD turbulent flow in the device
- Performance prediction and optimization of the device by three-dimensional MHD numerical simulation
