Pulsed Power
This program researches high-power energy storage and transfer using capacitive and inductive systems, focusing on plasma opening switches and power flow, supported by theory and facilities.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: February 1, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | November 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stipend approximately $99,200 per year with $3,000 travel allowance; typical tenure 2-3 years.
Summary: Supports postdoctoral research on pulsed-power systems focusing on energy storage, plasma opening switches, and power flow at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents holding a Ph.D. within the last 5 years; requires contacting a Research Adviser prior to application.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) supports advanced research in pulsed-power systems, specifically the study of energy storage and transfer in capacitive and inductive systems at the multiterrawatt scale. The program emphasizes plasma opening switches, including both slow-switching (~1 microsecond) and fast-switching (~100 nanoseconds) techniques, with a focus on diagnosing and understanding the plasma physics involved in the switching process.
Research also covers power flow dynamics, such as magnetically insulated electron flow in transmission lines and coupling to loads. The program integrates experimental work with strong theoretical efforts, including analytical studies and numerical simulations to understand system components and optimize overall system efficiency.
Available state-of-the-art facilities include:
- Gamble II generator (0.8 MA, 1.6 MV, 60-ns full width at half maximum)
- Hawk inductive store generator (0.8 MA, 0.72 MV, 1 μs current rise)
- Mercury inductive voltage adder (360 KA, 8 MV, 50-ns full width at half maximum)
- Electromagnetic launch facilities
- Multiple vacuum test-stands
- Various plasma diagnostics, including a highly sensitive two-color interferometer
Keywords associated with this research include dense plasmas, high-energy plasmas, plasma processes (physics), and pulsed lasers.
