Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE) Project Description

Transcription

1 Michigan Institute for Plasma Science and Engineering (MIPSE) Benjamin T. Yee Advisor: Prof. John E. Foster Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences Project Description Pulsed nanosecond discharges can produce homogeneous, nonequilibrium plasmas at near atmospheric pressure. The plasmas can provide an energy transfer mechanism for chemical reactions in materials processing and have potential applications in hypersonic flight. Verification of discharge models has been difficult, largely due to a lack of high quality measurements of the spatial and temporal evolution of the electric field. The local electric field has a strong influence on chemical reaction rates and charged particle production. The aim of this work is to use a nonlinear optical technique based on the well-established CARS spectroscopy to provide the necessary information about the electric field. Figure 1 shows the evolution of the electron density and electric field determined by a computer simulation.

2 Publications/Presentations B. Yee, J. Foster "Non-intrusive measurement of the electric field in pulsed nanosecond discharges for plasma aided combustion," 1st Annual GRC Research Day, Cleveland, OH; NASA GRC: Cleveland, J. Foster, B. Weatherford, E. Gillman and B. Yee "Underwater operation of a DBD plasma jet," Plasma Sci. Technol. _19_ (2010). J. Park, R. Nebel, A. Robert, E. Evstati, B. Yee, Y. S. Hwang "Periodically Oscillating Plasma Sphere (POPS) and Neutron Source Development at LANL," 48th Annual Meeting of the Division of Plasma Physics, Philadelphia, PA; APS: College Park, 2006; #QP

3 BENJAMIN T. YEE SCHOOL ADDRESS PERMANENT ADDRESS 1963 Cooley 1401 Durango Dr Bonisteel Blvd Phone: (734) Phone: (734) EDUCATION Ph.D. in Nucl. Engineering and Rad. Sciences Apr M.S.E. in Nucl. Engineering and Rad. Sciences Apr B.S.E. in Nucl. Engineering and Rad. Sciences, Cum Laude Dec EXPERIENCE Graduate Student Research Assistant Design and develop pulsed-nanosecond discharge for atmospheric breakdown Develop diagnostics to noninvasively measure the electric field evolution Improve upon analytic and numerical methods used to analyze such discharges. Jan Present Graduate Student Assistant for NERS 315 Jan. - Apr Led lecture for upper-level radiation detection lab. Shared responsibility of testing and troubleshooting lab equipment. Held office hours and evaluated student performance. ElectroDynamic Applications, Inc. Student Intern May - Aug Used a variety of plasma sources to develop a highvalue industrial gas source using agricultural waste as the feedstock. Characterized experimental conditions with residual gas analysis, scanning electron microscopy, optical emission spectroscopy, and Langmuir probes. Micron Technology, Inc. Boise, ID Intern Fabrication Engineer May - Aug Developed working knowledge of CCP and ICP systems and their application to VLSI production. Characterized and released two part critical dry etch processes for production.

4 Helped establish and maintain statistical controls on critical feature aspects by analyzing historical trends and working cooperatively with multiple groups. Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos, NM Student Intern May - Aug Designed, created, and characterized inductively coupled plasma source Assisted in inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) fusion device operation Developed multi-pole confinement scheme for plasma vessel ORGANIZATIONS American Nuclear Society Alpha Nu Sigma Honors Society Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WCBN Campus Radio Volunteer DJ Jan present Weekly music radio show with a stated goal of education. Helping set up monthly movie screenings, working with others to host free concerts for students and community. Development Director Sep Sep Planned and led annual fundraiser including mailings, gift items, and handling capital. Raised over $20,000 for annual operating budget. Music Director Jan. Sep Jointly led the radio station s musical programming. Board of Directors Jan present Responsible for long term planning of station goals, budget, and outreach. Teaching Fellows Work with a high school class throughout the year demonstrating and teaching physical applications of math. Help students develop problem solving techniques by leading weekly word problem sessions. Plan and execute a field trip to expand on concepts acquired in the classroom. Record experiences of classroom activities in a publicly accessible blog. Sep present

5 Local Outreach (Apr present) Coordinate with other student groups to provide detailed tours of research lab and conduct demonstrations of basic plasma phenomena for secondary school students. Undergraduate Student Advisory Board (Jan Dec. 2008) Adviser to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Helped create and run midterm feedback system, and successfully transferred system to college. Provided direct student input on topics including parking and transportation, graduate student instructors, honor code, and internship opportunities. HONORS & FELLOWSHIPS Michigan Institute of Plasma and Science Engineering Fellow, 2010 NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program, Michigan Initiative on Student NASA Exploration Research Grant, 2008 University Honors: Winter 2007 Dean s List: Fall 2006, Winter 2007 POSTERS B. Yee, J. Foster "Non-intrusive measurement of the electric field in pulsed nanosecond discharges for plasma aided combustion," 1st Ann. GRC Research Day, Cleveland, OH, Apr. 22, J. Park, R. Nebel, R. Aragonez, E. Evstatiev, B. T. Yee, and Y. S. Hwang, Periodically Oscillating Plasma Sphere (POPS) and Neutron Source Development at LANL, Amer. Phys. Soc., 4 8th Ann. Meeting of Plasma Phys., Philadelphia, PA, Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2006, #QP PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS J. Foster, B. Weatherford, E. Gillman and B. Yee "Underwater operation of a DBD plasma jet," Plasma Sci. Technol (2010).