featuring
Amari Green
William Mulder
Adil Neemuchwala
Pranav Devalapalli
Aadhavan Gobinath
Friday, October 23
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.
Guggenheim 442
Pizza served
Amari Green
Title:
Understanding Retarding Potential Analyzers: Design Principles and Application to Electric Propulsion
Abstract:
Retarding potential analyzers (RPAs) are electrostatic probes used to characterize ion energy distributions in plasma. By applying a variable retarding potential, RPAs selectively filter ions according to their kinetic energy, enabling researchers to investigate the energy characteristics of electric thruster plumes.
This seminar will introduce the operating principles and design of a retarding potential analyzer developed for electric propulsion research. The presentation will explain the function of the probe's major components and key design considerations. Experimental data collected during Hall thruster testing will demonstrate how RPA measurements are used to characterize ion energy and analyze thruster plume behavior. The results will also highlight challenges in interpreting measured ion current responses and the importance of understanding instrument behavior when analyzing experimental data.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Mitchell L.R. Walker II
William Mulder
Title:
Systems Modeling and MagicDraw
Abstract:
Systems engineering is used to holistically look at how various aspects of engineering projects are connected, ranging from requirements to aspects like component interactions. System modeling is helpful for simplifying the complexities of systems into a more understandable form. MagicDraw is a commonly used software that can properly model many aspects of system engineering and will be explored in this presentation along with some example projects and applications.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Dr. Selcuk Cimtalay
Adil Neemuchwala
Title:
Uniformity Diagnostics for Hall-Effect Thruster Gas Distributors & Thermal
Modeling of a Heatless Hollow Cathode under an Ignition Electrode
Abstract:
Throughout the course of my undergraduate research, I delved into several topics regarding the operation and optimization of Electric Propulsion systems. In particular, experimental testing to validate propellant flow uniformity within gas distributors, as well as determining steady state thermal operation of the H9 HHC. Gas distributors are important because non-uniform propellant flow directly impacts thrust efficiency, plume symmetry, and overall stability. A custom diagnostic device was designed, manufactured, and tested to measure static pressure at multiple internal locations within a thruster. I am also conducting research on the thermal behavior of the H9 heaterless hollow cathode used in electric propulsion systems, focusing on how plasma interactions affect temperature distribution and overall performance. To accomplish this, I developed a physics-based MATLAB model to calculate ion and electron power deposition onto cathode surfaces and using ANSYS thermal simulations to predict temperature distributions. In the future I hope to validate the theoretical model with experimental data.
Faculty Advisor:
Professor Mitchell L.R. Walker II, Research Engineer Dr. Dan Lev
Pranav Devalapalli
Title:
ANCHOR: Orbital Refueling Depots and Mobile Servicing Vehicles for Satellite Lifetime Extension
Abstract:
ANCHOR investigates an in-space refueling architecture designed to extend satellite operational lifetimes through orbital propellant depots and Mobile Refueling Vehicles (MRVs). These vehicles travel between refueling stations and client satellites, performing orbital maneuvers to rendezvous with and replenish satellites in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO). The research focuses on modeling orbital transfers, including Hohmann transfers, plane changes, and phasing maneuvers, to evaluate delta-v requirements, transfer times, and mission feasibility. ANCHOR aims to support more sustainable space operations by reducing the need for satellite replacement through on-orbit servicing.
Faculty Advisor:
Research Engineer Alexia Payan
Aadhavan Gobinath
Title:
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Faculty Advisor:
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