The Optical Diagnostics of High Voltage Corona and Thermal-to-Electric Power Generation research opportunities focus on in-house analyses of high voltage breakdown issues in electrified propulsion systems and testing prototype thermal-to-electric power generation devices. High Voltage Corona: Future aircraft electrical systems will incorporate designs that operate at higher voltage levels. The reduced ambient pressure at altitude combined with higher voltages place critical insulation systems at risk. Eventually high current arcing can cause catastrophic failure, but the electrical components often exhibit localized luminous corona discharges in the early stages prior to complete electrical breakdown. Our in-house spectroscopic studies develop detection and discrimination methods for these corona discharges as a fundamental step toward preventing destructive arcing events. Thermal-to-Electric Device Testing: We have established an advanced in-house facility to test advanced thermionic and thermoelectric power generation devices under flight duration and thermal profile. At the heart of the test facility is an ytterbium fiber laser with an emission wavelength of 1070 nm in the infrared and a maximum power output of 3 kW. A collimator/beam shaper optic creates a collimated 30 mm spot illumination providing uniform heating and controlled temperature profile over a precise area of a prototype conversion device. Our research program continues to modify our test facility to test advanced prototype devices in preparation of testing under operational conditions.

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Additional Benefits

Awardees who reside more than 50 miles from their host laboratory and remain on tenure for at least six months are eligible for paid relocation to within the vicinity of their host laboratory.

A group health insurance program is available to awardees and their qualifying dependents in the United States.