Characterization of a new ultra-high pressure shock tube facility for combustion and propulsion studies.

A new shock tube facility has been designed, constructed, and characterized at the University of Central Florida. This facility is capable of withstanding pressures of up to 1000 atm, allowing for combustion diagnostics of extreme conditions, such as in rocket combustion chambers or in novel power conversion cycles. For studies with toxic gas impurities, the high initial pressures required the development of a gas delivery system to ensure the longevity of the facility and the safety of the personnel.

Selective terahertz absorber for angle and polarization-independent spectral sensing.

Polarization- and incident-angle-independent narrow-band terahertz (THz) absorbers were developed to enable THz imaging, radar, and spectroscopy applications. The design comprises a transparent fused silica (SiOx) substrate backed by an optically thick metal layer and topped by a periodic array of metal cross patterns. Finite element analysis (FEA) simulations optimized the geometry of devices fabricated by contact photolithography.

Accurate prediction of terahertz spectra of molecular crystals of fentanyl and its analogs.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid pain reliever with a high bioavailability that can be used as prescription anesthetic. Rapid identification via non-contact methods of both known and emerging opioid substances in the fentanyl family help identify the substances and enable rapid medical attention. We apply PBEh-3c method to identify vibrational normal modes from 0.

Elucidating the differences in oxidation of high-performance α- and β- diisobutylene biofuels via Synchrotron photoionization mass spectrometry.

Biofuels are a promising ecologically viable and renewable alternative to petroleum fuels, with the potential to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. However, biomass sourced fuels are often produced as blends of hydrocarbons and their oxygenates. Such blending complicates the implementation of these fuels in combustion applications.

High accuracy machine learning identification of fentanyl-relevant molecular compound classification via constituent functional group analysis.

Fentanyl is an anesthetic with a high bioavailability and is the leading cause of drug overdose death in the U.S. Fentanyl and its derivatives have a low lethal dose and street drugs which contain such compounds may lead to death of the user and simultaneously pose hazards for first responders.

Measuring the effectiveness of high-performance Co-Optima biofuels on suppressing soot formation at high temperature.

Soot emissions in combustion are unwanted consequences of burning hydrocarbon fuels. The presence of soot during and following combustion processes is an indication of incomplete combustion and has several negative consequences including the emission of harmful particulates and increased operational costs. Efforts have been made to reduce soot production in combustion engines through utilizing oxygenated biofuels in lieu of traditional nonoxygenated feedstocks.