Project Description

This project will focus on the development of hybrid propulsion systems to facilitate access to the cislunar space following missions proposed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Recent research at Purdue University has shown the advantage of integrating additives, liquid or solid, to solid fuel binders to give ignition/relight capabilities to hybrid propulsion systems, as well as increase performance. Additional research is needed to identify and qualify propellant combinations and casting processes that match required mechanical properties at cislunar conditions, in orbit or on the surface of the Moon for example.
The selection of fuel binders, additives, and other components needed to match the desired properties will be based on requisite energy needs and polymer formulation science/chemistry to adjust mechanical and thermomechanical properties, microstructure/morphology, and stability with characterization at the laboratory scale, using Purdue’s heritage in hybrid propellant development. Finally, selected fuel formulations will be evaluated at relevant conditions and scale at the Zucrow Laboratories.

Start Date

Spring 2021

Postdoc Qualifications

Background in aerospace systems, propulsion preferred and materials science/engineering or chemistry, polymer preferred.
US citizen or green card preferred.

Co-Advisors

Timothee Pourpoint, timothee@purdue.edu, AAE, http://eng.purdue.edu/jump/71d15

Jeffrey Youngblood, jpyoungb@purdue.edu, MSE, https://engineering.purdue.edu/MSE/people/ptProfile?id=11541

References

Reactivity and Hypergolicity of Solid Fuels with Mixed Oxides of Nitrogen, A. Benhidjeb--Carayon, M. Drolet, J. Gabl, T.L. Pourpoint, Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2019, Vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 466-474. DOI: 10.2514/1.B37297.

Sweating Hybrid Rocket Fuels; Inclusion and Temperature Activated Release of Liquid Fuels in Solid Binders, M. McClain, C. Farrell, M. Paik, T.L. Pourpoint, AIAA 2019-4190.

Biphasic Dispersion Fuels for High Regression Rate Hybrid Rockets, J.D. Mathews, J.R. Gabl, T.L. Pourpoint, Journal of Propulsion and Power, 2019, Vol. 35, no. 5, DOI: 10.2514/1.B37431.

Multivariable dependency of thermal shrinkage in highly aligned polypropylene tapes for self-reinforced polymer composites, J.A. Diaz, J.P. Youngblood Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2016, 90, 771-777. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2016.09.004.

Synthesis and characterization of microencapsulated phase change materials with polyurea-urethan shells containing cellulose nanocrystals, Y. Yoo, C. Martinez, J.P. Youngblood ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2017, 9 (37), 31763-31776. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b06970.