Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

A Photonic Doppler Velocimeter (PDV) is required to support research activities into the dynamic behaviour of materials at Carleton University. This equipment has become an indispensable diagnostic tool for experimental investigation of materials at extreme strain rates. The PDV diagnostic enables an investigator to make continuous time-resolved measurements of the velocity of any object or surface that is accessible to a laser probe with unprecedented precision. PDV measurements are commonly used to determine constitutive material relationships, shock-induced phase transitions in solids, tensile failure, and shear wave loading response, among other properties. Our ability to generate the high-quality time-resolved data is dependent on our ability to regularly access a laser-based velocimeter, the absence of which will negatively affect our ability to remain competitive in the current global research and development environment. This equipment will directly support broad research efforts pertaining to fundamental dynamic material behaviour as well as efforts involving more applied investigations into novel ballistic armour materials, the impact degradation of aerospace structures, and novel groin protection systems to defend against explosively launched debris fields.*The versatility of the requested PDV system and the valuable information that it can be used to collect will enable our broad research efforts to make technological advances in areas of contemporary importance and advance knowledge of dynamic material behaviour among HQP in Canada. The applicants are experts in the synergistic fields of dynamic material behaviour and computational material modelling, forming an ideal team will make full use of the requested equipment to pursue the proposed research programs. The equipment will be immediately integrated into an existing facility at Carleton University that is currently being used to support research into the high-strain-rate response of materials. The principal investigator is experienced in the use of the requested PDV equipment, having built and validated a similar system in his previous research position, ensuring that it will be used immediately and effectively. Graduate students without access to this equipment are at an overwhelming disadvantage to see their work published and used by colleagues in the field given the broad availability of this equipment within foreign research institutes and universities. In order to continue to compete internationally and provide proper training to HQP, sustained access to a velocimetry system is essential, without which it will be hard to maintain a respectable standing within our research community. Seven graduate students currently stand to benefit directly from the use of this equipment, a number that is anticipated to grow as the PDV enables new lines of inquiry to develop.