The Office of Naval Research has awarded a three-year, $1.6 million grant to a Penn State-led team that will further research in pulse detonation engine technology.
Pulse detonation involves short, continuous explosions that provide near-constant thrust or propulsion. This technology shows promise for use in rockets, unmanned aircraft and cruise missiles. The trick for using pulse detonation technology is being able to properly harness or channel its energy.
The research team is led by Robert Santoro, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the University's Propulsion Engineering Research Center. The group consists of Santoro and Vigor Yang from Penn State, Chung K. Law from Princeton University and Joseph Shepard from the California Institute of Technology.
Although the idea for pulse detonation engines dates back to the 1950s, they have received increased attention recently because of their potential to provide highly efficient, low-cost propulsion systems for air-breathing engines and rocket applications.
The engines are noted for their mechanical simplicity, compact size and ability for near instantaneous startup and throttling. Compared to other engine types producing similar thrust, pulse detonation engines have the potential to be easier to maintain, provide a higher thrust-to-weight ratio and have significantly lower specific fuel consumption.
The Office of Naval Research grant comes under the Department of Defense's Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative program, designed to address large multidisciplinary topic areas representing opportunities for future Department of Defense applications as well as commercial applications.