Purdue Energetics Research Center

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PERC Mission Statement

To drive the field of energetic materials forward through our ideas, our students, and our partnerships.

Alum of the Month, Nov. 2022: Camilo A. Duarte-Cordon

AAMP-UP, PERC aim to promote diversity and inclusion in energetics

MOU amendment expands partnership with Cranfield

Open Graduate Assistant Positions for AAMP-UP Program: Spring & Summer 2023

Check out the latest issue of The Blast

Purdue University launches Institute for National Security

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Research

Synthesis & Fabrication

Synthesis and Fabrication activities of the pre-eminent team are aimed at creating tailored energetic materials. Improved performance, sensitivity, toxicity and lifetime are key drivers for these new materials. We are also interested in developing disruptive materials that are tunable, switchable, and multi-functional. Both top-down and bottom-up fabrication approaches are being explored. These include additive manufacturing methods, nanoscale encapsulation, and high energy ball mill mechanical activation methods. We also hope to extend this to both chemical synthesis and cocrystallization at Purdue. Applications include all areas of energetic materials and include advanced propellants, enhanced explosives and novel pyrotechnics.

Diagnostics and Characterization

Diagnostic and Characterization efforts are primarily aimed at improving our ability to study energetic materials during dynamic events. A variety of laser-spectroscopy and imaging techniques spanning the UV to the far-IR are currently being developed and applied to study propellant flames, explosions and detonations, shock impact, and electromagnetic stimulation. These efforts employ ultrafast-, burst-mode-, hyperspectral-, and wavelength-modulation-spectroscopy techniques, as well as high-speed and ballistic imaging to provide non-intrusive, time-resolved measurements of chemical species, temperature, pressure, and velocity. In addition, X-ray techniques for imaging optically dense, multi-phase processes are also of interest. A combination of commercial and custom-built light sources and imaging platforms are currently being used to extend such measurements to: additional chemical species, multiple dimensions (2D to 4D), shorter timescales, and increasingly hostile and optically dense environments.

Drop-weight towers, Kolsky bars and gas guns are used to apply dynamic loads on the energetic materials to be characterized, optical and x-ray high-speed imaging techniques are used to determine the dynamic deformation and damaging processes in the energetic materials under impact. To identify the formation of hot spots, temperature field associated with the deformation and damage is measured with a new 2D topographical temperature measurement method using the laser-induced phosphorescence.

Detection and Defeat

Detection and Defeat activities of the pre-eminent team are focused generally on interdiction of terrorists and improvised explosive devices. Improved materials and methods are being developed for better detection of explosives residues at security checkpoints using contact sampling methods. These approaches involve understanding the adhesion and mechanics of explosives, as well as the development of novel materials with optimized properties for explosives harvesting. In addition, standoff methods for detecting and defeating explosives are of great interest. These methods involve the application of novel MEMS technology for recognition of explosive vapors, and the development of directed energy methods for inducing deflagration within explosives and for detecting explosives residues in the vapor phase and on surfaces.

Faculty & Staff Publications

The Purdue Energetics Research Center (PERC) is an interdisciplinary team with an overriding focus on comprehensive energetic materials research "from molecules to munitions." PERC addresses existing and emerging explosives-based needs for civilian and military infrastructure, commerce and aviation. It also supports the U.S. need for more stable, less sensitive and more easily processed energetic materials including propellants, pyrotechnics and in ordnance. PERC has enjoyed support from nearly every agency within the U.S. defense sector.

Faculty, Staff & Students

Faculty

Steve Beaudoin

Center Director, Professor of Chemical Engineering

David F. Bahr

Head and Professor of Materials Engineering

Sally Bane

Assistant Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Edward Berger

Associate Professor of Engineering Educ/Mechanical Engineering

J. Stuart Bolton

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Bryan Boudouris

Robert and Sally Weist Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering

Weinong Chen

Reilly Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics & Materials Engineering

Yong Chen

Director of the Purdue Quantum Center & Associate Director of Research for Birck Nanotechnology Center

George T.-C. Chiu

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Patricia Davies

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of Ray W. Herrick Laboratories

Chelsea Davis

Assistant Professor of Materials Engineering

James Gibert

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Christopher Goldenstein

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Marcial Gonzalez

Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Nathan W. Hartman

Interim Head of Computer Graphics Technology, Professor of Computer Graphics Technology

Stephen Heister

Raisbeck Engineering Distinguished Professor for Engineering and Technology Integration

Hilkka Kenttamaa

Frank Brown Distinguished Professor - Analytical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry

Marisol Koslowski

Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Assistant Head for Graduate Engagement & Partnerships

Robert Lucht

Ralph and Bettye Bailey Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Monique McClain

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering

Terry Meyer

Professor Of Mechanical Engineering

Zoltan Nagy

Professor of Chemical Engineering

Davin Piercey

Assistant Professor Materials Engineering and Mechanical Engineering

Jonathan Poggie

Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Tim Pourpoint

Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics

P. V. Ramachandran

Professor of Organic Chemistry

Jeffrey F. Rhoads

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Brett Savoie

Charles Davidson Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering

Carlo Scalo

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics (by Courtesy)

Shweta Singh

Assistant Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Environmental and Ecological Engineering

Carson Slabaugh

Assistant Professor

Mikhail Slipchenko

Research Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Steven F. Son

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Alejandro H. Strachan

Professor of Materials Engineering

John W. Sutherland

Fehsenfeld Family Head of Environmental and Ecological Engineering

Song Zhang

Assistant Head For Experiential Learning

Eric Nauman

Adjunct Professor

Staff

Ashley Ancil

Senior Safety Officer, School of Mechanical Engineering

Bryce Geesey

Lead Research Engineer, Herrick Labs, School of Mechanical Engineering

Mike Lauderdale

Environmental Technician
Radiological & Environmental Management

Timothy Manship

Research Engineer - Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories

Chris Murray

Project Manager, School of Chemical Engineering

Katherine Yater-Henke

Graduate Program Administrator
School of Chemical Engineering

Aidan Elizabeth Lighty

Research Engineer, School of Chemical Engineering

Current Graduate Students

Steve Beaudoin

Caralyn Coultas-Mckenney
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2022
Project/Thesis: The Enhanced Centrifuge Method for Evaluating Topographical Effects on Adhesion of Explosives Powders

Tyler Roberts
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2025
Project/Thesis: Effects of Material Properties on Adhesive Interactions in Additively Manufactured Energetic Materials
Co-Advisor: Chelsea Davis

Sydney Scheirey
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2023
Project/Thesis: Effects of Crosslinking Agents and Adhesion Modifiers on Additively Manufactured Thermite
Co-Advisor: Jeff Rhoads

Michael Stevenson
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2022
Project/Thesis: Measuring van der Waals Adhesion Forces of Compounded Energetics Using Non-Contact Atomic Force Microscopy
Co-Advisor: David Corti

Aaron Woeppel
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2023
Project/Thesis: Engineered Macromolecules for Detection of Trace Explosives Residues Co-Advisor: Bryan Boudouris

Bryan Boudouris

Aaron Woeppel
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2023
Project/Thesis: Engineered Macromolecules for Detection of Trace Explosives Residues
Co-Advisor: Steve Beaudoin

Wayne Chen

Kerry-Ann Stirrup
School: Materials Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2023
Project/Thesis: Deformation of Polymer Bonded Explosives

Chris Goldenstein

Rebekah (Bekah) Travis
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2027
Project/Thesis: TBD
Co-advisor: Steve Son

Nathan Hartman

Chris Copeland
School: Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2024
Project/Thesis: Supply chain security modeling and optimization

Hilkka Kenttamaa

Caroline Rowell
School: Department of Chemistry
Expected Graduation: 2024
Project/Thesis: Chemical reactions in hypergolic propellants

Marisol Koslowski

Chongxi Yuan
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2024
Project/Thesis: Modeling of hot spots in solids under shock compression

Diane Patterson
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2024
Project/Thesis: Mesoscale modeling of detonation in PBX

Monique McClain

Mitchell Donoughue
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2026
Project/Thesis: Dissimilar material printing: co-printing thermoplastic filaments with composite propellants

Anna Keim
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2026
Project/Thesis Title: Anomaly detection in extrusion-based additive manufacturing

Joshua Anderson
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Expected Graduation: Spring 2024
Project/Thesis: TBD
Co-Advisor: Nicole Key

James Plotzke
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Spring 2025
Project/Thesis: Manufacturing and characterization of multi-formulation composite propellants

Terry Meyer

Christopher Crabtree
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2023
Project/Thesis: Developing Pulsed Laser Imaging Techniques for Explosive Event Analysis
Co-Advisor: Mikhail Slipchenko

Josh Ludwigsen
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023
Project/Thesis: Application of pulse burst laser diagnostics for measurement of high speed reacting flows
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Sahaj Patel
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Expected Graduation: Aug, 2023
Project/Thesis: Advancement of Solid-Fueled Rotating Detonation Engines
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Peter Salek
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Expected Graduation: Aug, 2023
Project/Thesis: Advancement of Solid-Fueled Rotating Detonation Engines
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Austin Webb
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2023
Project/Thesis: Developing Pulsed Laser Imaging Techniques for Explosive Event Analysis

Zoltan Nagy

Monika Neal
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
Project/Thesis: Holistic Approach for Process Intensification of Energetic Materials Crystallization

Montgomery Smith
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Summer, 2024
Project/Thesis Title: Process Intensification of Novel Energetics Crystallization via Quality-by-Control Direct Design Approaches

Davin Piercey

Shannon Creegan
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023

Angelique Klimek
School: Chemical Engineering

Michael Thoenen
School: Materials Science and Engineering

Dominique Wozniak
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2023

Joseph Yount
School: Materials Science and Engineering

Jake Zuckerman
School: Materials Science and Engineering

Brett Savoie

Dylan Fortney
School: Chemical Engineering
Expected Graduation: 2026
Project/Thesis: Tuning the Viscoelastic Properties of Conductive Binders

Steve Son

Aaron AFRIAT
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2022
Project/Thesis: Additive manufacturing and of energetic materials Project/Thesis Title: Additive manufacturing and combustion characterization of high energy, low-solvent gun propellants

Mitchell Ferrel
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: TBD
Project/Thesis: Embedded Reactive and Inert Wires in Propellants

Thomas Hafner
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Aug, 2023
Project/Thesis: The Application of Piezoelectricity and Flexoelectricity to Energetic Materials

Caleb Harper
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2025
Project/Thesis: High-Energy-Density Fuels

Ryan Merrell
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2023
Project/Thesis: Novel Metallized Fuels for Solid Fuel Ramjets

Derek Messer
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Jan, 2023
Project/Thesis: Fabrication of multifunctional energetic materials utilyzing piezoelectricity

Kyle Uhlenhake
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May 2023
Project/Thesis: Flash Ignition of Energetic Materials

John Sutherland

Postdoc: Matthew Triebe
School: Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Project/Thesis: Advancing Army Modernization Priorities through Collaborative Energetic Materials Research

Song Zhang

Jack Girard
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: Dec, 2022
Project/Thesis: TBD

William Keller
School: Mechanical Engineering
Expected Graduation: May, 2026
Project/Thesis: TBD

Graduated Students

David Bahr

Alexandra Burch
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: Small scale testing to assess mechanical behavior of anisotropic molecular crystals

Matthew Taw
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Graduated: Dec 2017
Project/Thesis: “Linking Nanoscale Mechanical Behavior To Bulk Physical Properties And Phenomena Of Energetic Materials

Steve Beaudoin

Patrick Bowers
School: Chemical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Effects of Binder Mechanical and Interfacial Properties on Additively Manufactured Energetics
Co-Advisor: Jeff Rhoads

Andrew Parker
School: Chemical Engineering
Graduated: Dec, 2020
Project/Thesis: Effects of Polymers on Crystallization of Pharmacological Active Ingredients from the Melt

Jason Wickham
School: Chemical Engineering
Graduated: Dec, 2020
Project/Thesis: Effects of Interfacial and Mechanical Properties of Compounded Explosives on Their Sensitivity
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Bryan Boudouris

Darby Hoss
School: Chemical Engineering
Graduated: Aug, 2017
Project/Thesis: Adhesion Characterization to Improve Trace Explosives Detection Using Mesostructured Polymers
Co-Advisor: Steve Beaudoin

Jennifer Laster
School: Chemical Engineering
Graduated: Dec, 2017
Project/Thesis: Design of Microstructured Conducting Polymer Films for Enhanced Trace Explosives Detection
Co-Advisor: Steve Beaudoin

Sally Bane

Tyler Graziano
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2016
Project/Thesis: Development of Combustion Tube for Gaseous, Liquid, and Solid Fuels to Study Flame Acceleration and DDT

Angela Mbugua
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2019
Project/Thesis: Characterization of Ignition and Combustion of Nitromethane and Isopropyl Nitrate Monopropellant Droplets

Steven Stoot
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2015
Project/Thesis: Combustion Characteristics of Hypergolic Microdroplets

Prashanth Bangalore Venkatesh
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2019
Project/Thesis: High Pressure Combustion in C2H4/N2O Mixtures Leading to Detonations and its Applications

Wayne Chen

Benjamin Claus
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: Dec, 2018
Project/Thesis: Controlling Dynamic Torsion Loading

Jonathan Drake
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: Dynamic Response of Polymer Bonded Explosives under Impact Loading

Zherui Guo
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: Design Optimization of Multi-ply Soft Armor Targets Based on Failure Modes under Projectile Normal Impact

Michael Harr
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May 2017
Project/Thesis: Hot-spot Formation in PBX under Impact Loading

Nesredin Kedir
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Graduated: Dec, 2020
Project/Thesis: Particle Impact Damage on Coated Structure

Nicholas Kerschen
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2018
Project/Thesis: Response of PBX under Shock Loading

Cody Kirk
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2022
Project/Thesis: Response of Liquid Energetic Materials under High-speed Impact

Amelia Leenig
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Graduated: July, 2020
Project/Thesis: Effects of Defects on the Damage and Failure of Energetic Materials under Dynamic Loading

Naranjan Parab
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2017
Project/Thesis: Fracture of Spherical Particles under Compression

Shane Paulson
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Mechanisms of Dynamic Interlaminar Delamination in Fiber-reinforced Composites

Andrew Roginski
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: Dec, 2021
Project/Thesis: Impact Response of Polymer Bonded Explosives at elevated temperatures

Chris Goldenstein

Garrett C. Mathews
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: High-speed laser-absorption diagnostics for temperature and species measurements in combustion gases of propellants and explosives

Morgan Ruesch
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Characterization of the flame structure of composite solid rocket propellants using laser diagnostics
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Ryan J. Tancin
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Ultrafast laser-absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared for spatiotemporally resolved measurements of gas properties

Marisol Koslowski

Camilo A. Duarte
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Continuum modeling of fracture and plastic deformation in HMX single crystals under shock compression

Terry Meyer

Amanda Braun
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2022
Project/Thesis: High-Speed Burst-Mode Laser Diagnostics in Post-Detonation Fireballs

Alex Brown
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2022
Co-advisor: Steve Son
Project/Thesis Title: Laser Diagnostics for Species and Temperature in Explosive Fireballs

Diane Collard
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Additively manufactured reactive components in composite propellant
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Mateo Gomez-Gomez
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Advanced diagnostics in detonations and multiphase environments
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Patrick B. Moore
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Thermographic Nanophosphors
Co-Advisor: Steve Son

Davin Piercey

Matthew Gettings
School: Materials Science and Engineering
Graduated: 2021

Steve Son

Julie Bach
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Study on modifying the pressure time history of additively-manufactured gun propellant using infill parameters

Michael Baier
Christian Blum-Sorensen
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: Aug, 2021
Project/Thesis: Hot Spots & and explosives initiation, finding the right spark

Alex Brown
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2022
Co-advisor: Dr. Terrence Meyer
Project/Thesis Title: Laser Diagnostics for Species and Temperature in Explosive Fireballs

Wesley Chapman
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2022
Project/Thesis: Additive manufacturing of energetic sensors

Kate Clements
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: An Experimental Study of Factors Affecting Hypergolic Ignition of Ammonia Borane

Diane Collard
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Additively manufactured reactive components in composite propellant
Co-Advisor: Terry Meyer

Nick Cummock
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: The change of impact and shock sensitivity due to thermal damage and phase transition in HMX systems

Josh Dean
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: The Kinetics of Thermal Decomposition and Hot-Stage Microscopy of Selected Energetic Cocrystals

Spencer Fehlberg
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: Decomposition of Ammonium Perchlorate Encapsulated Nanoscale and Micron-scale Catalyst Particles

Mateo Gomez
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: 2021
Project/Thesis: Advanced diagnostics in detonations and multiphase environments
Co-Advisor: Terry Meyer

Brandon Montano
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Characterization of vibration assisted printer for the additive manufacturing of energetic materials

Patrick B. Moore
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Thermographic Nanophosphors
Co-Advisor: Terry Meyer

Shane Oatman
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2024
Project/Thesis: TBD

Michael Powell
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: May, 2020
Project/Thesis: Ultrafast Broadband Midinfrared Absorption Spectroscopy On Shocked Energetic Materials

Morgan Ruesch
School: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Graduated: May, 2021
Project/Thesis: Characterization of the flame structure of composite solid rocket propellants using laser diagnostics
Co-Advisor: Chris Goldenstein

Eric Westphal
School: Mechanical Engineering
Graduated: Fall 2022
Project/Thesis: X-ray and laser-based phosphor thermometry measurements and their application toward reacting energetic materials
Co-Advisor: Terry Meyer

Facilities

Birck Nanotechnology Center

The Birck Nanotechnology Center is an interdisciplinary research center that provides infrastructure for more than 150 faculty members and their research groups. The research center includes the Dynamic Analysis of Micro- and Nanosystems Laboratory - a world-class facility focused on sensor development and small-scale materials characterization.

FLEXLab

The FlexLab in Discovery Park, is designed to adapt to the creative and innovative needs of Engineering professors and their students. Its wet-lab, dry-lab and open spaces enable teams to collaborate on interdisciplinary research and discovery that ranges from advanced manufacturing to imaging, and from information technology to medical devices.

Ray W. Herrick Laboratories

The Ray W. Herrick Laboratories is an interdisciplinary research laboratory that provides infrastructure for approximately 20 faculty members and their research groups. The Laboratories have a rich, 55-year old history of graduate education and engineering research emphasizing technology transfer to government and industry. Technical areas of interest include: electromechanical systems; thermal systems and air quality; noise and vibration control; and human response modeling for machine and system optimization.

Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories

The Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories is an interdisciplinary research laboratory that provides infrastructure for approximately 15 faculty members and their research groups. The Laboratories’ 7 buildings and 22 laboratories have a rich 65 year old history of graduate education and fundamental and applied engineering research emphasizing the technical areas of energetics, rocket propulsion, combustion and turbomachinery.