Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Objectives: The proposed research program aims at continuing the study of the generation and propagation of unsteady compressible flow phenomena, with and without chemical heat release, at millimeter and sub-millimeter scales. Based on these findings, a number of biomedical and aerospace applications will be pursued in the area of high-power density microsystems. Scientific approach: Our approach is based on the experimental observation of compressible flow phenomena at small scale using specially-built devices and on developing simple analytical models to explain the experimental observations. We then use this new knowledge to develop novel devices exploiting these phenomena. We have developed a unique expertise in the experimental investigation of shock waves in millimeter- and micron-scale channels and we will leverage this capability in the study of combustion waves in pre-mixed gaseous mixtures and monopropellants at those scales. In particular, we will investigate if the usual combustion scaling laws and propagation regimes can be extended down to the sub-millimeter scale using appropriate initial conditions (especially elevated pressure) and ignition techniques. If successful, these combustion waves will be used in original miniaturized propulsion and actuation systems. Novelty and significance: There is great interest in continuous micro-combustion for various MEMS devices (engines, fuel cells, etc.) but only few studies have investigated the propagation of unsteady combustion waves at small scales, and never at the micrometer scale of our unique experimental facilities. So this should produce valuable new knowledge that can potentially be exploited in the design of novel high-power density microsystems. Then, as we have successfully been doing for the past 20 years, these innovative devices will be patented and further developed with commercialization partners, leading to value and job creation right here in Canada.