RPI Tech ID:

2025-002

Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) technology can achieve high-speed electromagnetic attitude control without the need for moving parts and complex subsystems found in current technologies. Instead, MHD technologies utilize magnets capable of generating strong magnetic fields and are constructed of materials able to withstand extreme pressures and other stresses attributed to hostile environments (such as those experienced by a vehicle in hypersonic flight).

To further enhance MHD technology for space and other aircraft-related applications, researchers at RPI have developed a novel method harnessing MHD principles to selectively reduce the shear stress on objects traveling at hypersonic speeds. The technology comprises novel material combinations and configurations of magnets. The generated magnetic fields utilize selective ion injections to achieve precise boundary layer conditions, allowing objects to maneuver at hypersonic speeds. The technology allows for dramatic reductions in viscous forces and changes to other impacting environmental conditions, such as shock topology. The results from various analyses and simulations demonstrate the ability to achieve lower skin friction drag and heat flux. The design achieves an asymmetric reduction in viscous forces via selective ion injection and magnetic field application, enabling in-flight maneuverability. Overall, the technology eliminates traditional control surfaces present in conventional approaches, thus reducing the cost of development and manufacturing to a larger extent than possible with current methods. The invention will strengthen key magnetic interaction attributes and improve performance characteristics while potentially lowering manufacturing and operational costs. The technology may also offer improvements in different aspects of the supersonic aircraft marketplace, such as heat flux reduction in ramjets and scramjets, therefore reducing the need for exotic materials.

Applications
• Military/Defense hypersonic 
weapons
• Supersonic flight
• Aerospace

Advantages

• Achieves shear stress reduction to improve aerodynamic performance.
• Enables electromagnetic generated magnetic fields to reduce viscous stresses.
• Eliminates additional control surfaces in many conventional design approaches.
• Weakens any damaging shock waves and impact of boundary layer interactions

Intellectual Property:

Patent pending