Near Surface Flow Control and Electrical Power Extraction Using Magnetohydrodynamics

The objective of this STTR Phase II proposal is to build a versatile, near-surface light weight multifunctional metallic structure that can be used for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) control and power generation. In order to achieve these goals, a controlled plasma must be generated in air with high efficiency, the air must pass through a strong magnetic field, and current must be able to flow through the air plasma. During Phase I of the program high field strength dielectric substrate and electrode configurations robust to high temperature environments and local heating were developed. This device was also coupled to a nanosecond high voltage pulse-sustained discharge that can be applied simultaneously with a DC potential using the same set of electrodes. The resulting device will be further developed to accommodate a multifunctional metallic panel with 0.2 Tesla electromagnet and interfaced with the dielectric substrate and electrode configuration. This device will be then be used to study the plasma aerodynamic phenomena notably snowplow arc control of boundary layer, volumetric MHD power extraction, and dielectric barrier discharges. A prototype design for field application will evolve resulting from this development effort in Phase II.