Desperta Ferro!

Richard L. Altstatt

Graduate Research Assistant:  North Carolina State University, June 1992 - July 1996

Performed research on plasma interaction with materials and surfaces under the direction of Dr. M. Bourham and Dr. John Gilligan. Compiled a database on plasma ablation experiments, constructed test apparatus and instrumentation for a rail gun and combustion experiment, and monitored tests for the SIRENS electro-thermal chemical plasma test apparatus.

 

Designed a model of the ablation shielding for a surface from a steady state approximation to the energy balance. Wrote a computer program from this model that is being used to verify other computer models and predict lab tests. A direct contribution of this program to the test department was the program’s simplicity of use and speed. Use of this program allows the consideration of many materials before each use of a more time consuming computer code or laboratory test.

 

Research Intern:  University of Tokyo, Tokai; May 1993 - August 1993

The project performed for the University of Tokyo involved planning a series of tests to differentiate physical and chemical sputtering of carbon by a hydrogen plasma.  Aided Assistant Professor Tanaka and two Japanese graduate students in project design for the Materials And Plasma (MAP) device at the facility.  Constructed and instrumented the targets, which were designed to be heated, cooled, and electrically biased for specific tests.  Assisted in laboratory scheduling and supervision, testing, and initial data evaluation.  Performed primary writing for the project report.

 

Graduate Research Assistant: University of TN, Space Institute, May 1990 - July 1992

Performed research on natural gas combustion and heat transfer under Professor John Lineberry and Dr. Harold Schmidt. Developed efficiency models for a 100,000 BTU natural gas furnace. Worked on the generation of electric power through magnetohydrodynamic combustion of coal in the UTSI energy conversion group. Assisted fluid flow research projects including a single stage, earth-to-orbit model.