Pressure Gain Combustion for Emerging Propulsion and Power Systems
Research opportunities exist at Wright-Patterson AFB to advance pressure gain combustion technologies like pulsed detonation engines for propulsion and power.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Next deadline)
Funding Amounts: Base stipend approximately $95,000 plus $5,000 travel allowance; supplements based on experience; typical tenure 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral and senior researchers can pursue advanced research on pressure gain combustion and pulsed detonation engines at Wright-Patterson AFB through a prestigious NRC fellowship.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens only; requires prior contact with research advisers; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity supports research on pressure gain combustion technologies, including pulsed detonation engines (PDE), which are innovative propulsion and power systems that utilize pressure rise from combustion to generate momentum or pressure. The research is conducted at the Aerospace Systems Directorate, RQ/Turbine Engine Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio.
The program offers access to unique detonation research facilities, including high-speed instrumentation (up to 5 MHz per channel), ultra-high-speed imaging (up to 1,000,000 frames per second), laser diagnostics, computational tools, and research engines. Research areas include combustion/detonation initiation, fuel injection, controls, materials, power extraction, heat transfer, nozzles, ejectors, hybrid detonation/turbine engines, rotary/continuous detonation concepts, valving, acoustics, emissions, and diagnostics. Recent projects have explored plasma initiation and regenerative endothermic fuel cooling.
This fellowship is part of the NRC Research Associateship Programs (RAP), which provide postdoctoral and senior researchers with opportunities to conduct self-directed research aligned with federal laboratory goals, gain mentorship, and access state-of-the-art facilities.
