Thoughtventions Research & Development Knowledge Resources

Thoughtventions Unlimited and Dr. Stephen C. Bates have broad and detailed experience in the applied physical sciences.  TvU excels in multidisciplinary research into novel concepts that must be made into real devices.  Press the link to the area of you interest to learn more about the expertise, qualifications, and Facilities that TvU can bring to bear on your problem.  Dr. Bates' publications are also available.

To pursue your R & D project with TvU contact:

Dr. Stephen C. Bates, President
Thoughtventions Unlimited LLC
P.O. Box 1310 (40 Nutmeg Lane)
Glastonbury, CT 06033
e-mail: thought@tvu.com
Tel: 860-657-9014, FAX: 860-657-2666
Technical Areas of Expertise:  
# Aeronautics and Astronautics # High Temperature Optical Properties & Measurement
# Ceramics # Imaging
# Combustion # Injection Molding
# Cryogenics / Cryogenic Solids # Internal Combustion Engines
# Crystal Growth # Light Sources
# Diamond # Materials Science
# Endoscope Shells # Microscopy
# Fiber Optics # Microwave / RF Applications
# Flow Diagnostics # Optical Materials
# Fluid Mechanics # Optical Thin Films
# Fullerenes # Optics / Optical Diagnostics
# Furnace Systems # Particles in Flows
# Fusion (Nuclear) Systems # Plasma Diagnostics
# Heat Exchangers # Sapphire & Alumina
# Heat Transfer # Sensors
# Heat Treatment # Sintering
# High Pressure Windows # Spectroscopic Sensing
# High / Low Temperature Diagnostics # Vacuum Systems
# High Temperature Materials # Visualization
   
   
   
   
   

 
 

Funded Projects to Date :
Propulsion Prototype Cryogenic Solid Hydrogen Storage and Pellet Injection - Air Force 
  Solid Hydrogen Fueling of a Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor - NASA 
Materials Controlled Crystal Growth Using Auxiliary Optical Heating and Optical Diagnostics - NASA 
  High Temperature Sapphire Fiber Optic Cladding - Air Force
  A Novel Binder for Reactive Metal Injection Molding - National Science Foundation 
  Dental Materials Processing - Ney Dental International 
Optics In Flight Imaging Systems for Hypervelocity and Re-Entry Vehicles -NASA
  High Temperature Fiber Optic Imaging Apparatus - NASA 
  Low Loss Sapphire Windows for High Power Microwave Transmission - Department of Energy 
  High Temperature Combustion Endoscope Design - NASA
  Inset Flasher Development - DOT/FAA 
  C02 Absorption Test Station/Sapphire Annealing Furnace - Meller Optics
Furnaces High Temperature Transparent Furnace Development - NASA 
   Low Mass, Low Power, Low Cost Space Furnace - NASA
  High Efficiency Solar Furnace Core - NASA
Heat Transfer Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Droplet Heat Exchanger - NASA 
  Gas Cooled Endoscope - Three E Laboratories 

Total Funding since 1993: $3.6 Million
 
Last Update: December 2005

Research and Development Details:

1) Aeronautics and Astronautics

                MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department (BS 70, MS 71, ScD 77), 4.8/5.0 GPA

                ScD Thesis: Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer

                MS Thesis: Vortex Valve Control of Combustion Chamber Pressure

                Funded Work: Turbulent Mixing, Solid Hydrogen Propellant Systems (DOD/AF), Solid Oxygen Propellant Systems (DOD/AF), UAV High Altitude Direct Contact Heat Exchanger (NASA), Solid Hydrogen Scramjet Fueling.

                Areas of Additional Research: Propulsion, Liquid Propellants, Chemical Kinetics, Sprays, Flow Visualization, Combustion, Hypersonics, ALL Topics in Fluid Mechanics, Liquid, Hybrid and Solid Rockets, Jet Engines, Fuel Mixing, Flow & Combustion Diagnostics.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.

                U.S. Patent #6,003,300 “Technique for High Mixing Rate, Low Loss Supersonic Combustion with Solid Hydrogen and Liquid Helium Fuel," S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Society Memberships: AIAA, Combustion Institute

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, "Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer", Gas Turbine Lab Report #134, M.I.T. (1977).

                2.  S.C. Bates, "Flame Imaging Studies of Flame Development in a SI Four‑Stroke Engine," Dynamics of Deflagrations and Reactive Systems: Flames, A.L. Kuhl, J.C. Leyer, A.A. Borisov, and W.A. Sirignano, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 131, AIAA, Washington , DC , 335-377 (1991).

                3.  S.C. Bates, "Insights into Spark-Ignition Four-Stroke Combustion Using Direct Flame Imaging," Combustion and Flame, 85, 3 & 4, 331-352 (1991).

                4.  V. Hruby, M. Martinez-Sanchez, S. Bates, D. Lorents, "A High Thrust Density, C60, Cluster, Ion Thruster," AIAA Paper 94-2466, (1994).

                5. S.C. Bates, “Title : Cryostabilized Propellant Additives,” AIAA Paper #: AIAA-2003-5213, (2003).

2) Ceramics:

                Funded Work: Sapphire Windows, Alumina & Mullite Furnace Shells, Ceramic Insulation, Sapphire/Alumina Bonding

                Areas of Additional Research: Sapphire: Properties, Polishing, Strengthening, Inspection & Use, Boron Nitride Properties, Research and Use, Brittle Failure of Ceramics, Ceramic Sintering, Crack Propagation in Ceramics, Ceramic Machining, Sapphire/Alumina Bonding

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available: Furnace Equipment: 2000oC Tungsten 12x20x25 cm hot zone and 2200oC graphite 6x20 cm hot zone Vacuum Furnaces, 1300oC Tube Air Furnace, 1300oC 50 cm cube Kiln, a 1600oC fiber treatment furnace, 700oC low power furnace (75 watts), a 250oC 45x35x55 cm oven, plus variety of 1200oC and below furnaces. Oven, Eurotherm temperature controllers, all types of standard and high temperature (PtRh) thermocouple monitors.  Transparent Furnace Apparatus: Two temperature-controlled transparent furnaces (a single zone and a 2-zone type) and associated hardware designed to permit total optical access to small pieces undergoing heat treatment at temperatures up to 1200oC.  These furnaces contain heat radiation to achieve high operating temperatures by using an infrared reflecting outer shell.  Materials and Chemicals: Rare metals, precious metals, polishing materials, sapphire, quartz, ceramic insulation and glues, specialized chemicals, solvents, flameproof storage, hazardous chemical handling and storage equipment.  Materials Inspection, Handling, and Testing Equipment: Jeol JSM-35 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Bausch & Lomb Metallograph, controlled atmosphere glovebox, hood and vent systems, ultrasonic cleaners, precision balances. Materials Processing Equipment:  Boy 15/7 Injection Molding Machine, 20 ton press, 2 Strasbaugh polishing machines with polishing apparatus,   Dallan Labs planetary lapping machine, manual polishing equipment.  Precision diamond cutoff saw, diamond band saw, variety of diamond tooling. Mechanical Apparatus:  TvU has a complete machine shop, including lathes and milling machines.  It has ceramic machining capabilities including diamond tools, diamond band saw and large diameter diamond cut-off saw.  Sample Preparation Equipment:  Wide variety of polishing materials, laps, fixtures, cutting devices and tools for both metals and ceramics.

                Society Memberships: MRS, ASM

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, "Low Loss Sapphire Windows for High Power Microwave Transmission," SBIR Phase 2 Final Report,  USDOE Contract # DE-FG02-95ER86038, September, (1999).

                2.  S.C. Bates, L. Liou, "High Performance Sapphire Windows," Technology 2002, NASA Conference, Baltimore , MD , Dec., (1992).

                3.  S.C. Bates, and R.F. Chang, "High Temperature Fiber Optic Imaging," Fiber and Integrated Optics, 16, 387-405, (1997).

                4.  S.C. Bates, "A Transparent Engine for Flow and Combustion Visualization Studies", SAE Paper 880520 (1988).

 

3) Combustion

                MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department at MIT (BS 70, MS 71, ScD 77), 4.8/5.0 GPA

                ScD Thesis: Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer

                Employment Experience: 1983-1990 Staff Engineer, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren , MI

Instantaneous image-intensified videography of engine flames, spark ignition, flame development, and combustion completion; flow/flame interactions.

                Funded Work: Mild Gasification of Coal, Solid Oxygen & Solid Hydrogen Combustion, Electromagnetic Field Enhancement of Flames, Coal Combustion, Plastics Fire Testing, Particle Combustion, Laminar & Turbulent Flames.

                U.S. Patent #6,003,300 “Technique for High Mixing Rate, Low Loss Supersonic Combustion with Solid Hydrogen and Liquid Helium Fuel," S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Areas of Additional Research: Turbulent Combustion, Hybrid Rocket Combustion, Cryogenic Combustion, Hypersonic Combustion, Propellants, Catalytic Combustion, Acoustically Enhanced Particle Combustion, Combustion Spectroscopy.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Combustion Equipment:  Variety of laminar and turbulent burners of different geometries, Torches, Compressed flammable gases.  Data Acquisition Systems:  TvU owns Labview development software for graphical interface development and computer control. Multichannel data acquisition includes analog, digital, and 16 channels of thermocouple data.  A wide variety of TvU's sensors are directly linked to a dedicated, mobile, DAQ system that is used for a variety of experiments. PLC systems, and imaging data acquisition are also in use.  Fiber Optics:  Wide variety of fibers: sapphire, quartz, glass, plastic, fiber polishing equipment, fiber test optical mounts, fixturing devices, focussing optics.  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.  Imaging Equipment:  High resolution digital cameras, B/W and color video cameras, VCR, monitors, video frame grabber/processor, and image processing software. Light Sources: 15W CO2 laser, low power HeNe lasers, arc lamps, compact arc flash lamps, high power halogen lamps, mercury UV lamp, tungsten filament lamps, fiber optic illuminators.   Optics:  Optical bench, optical cements, bundles and illuminators, various lenses, wide variety of sapphire windows, low f-number elliptical and planar electrodeposited mirrors, variety of wavelength-variable filters, extensive mounting and translation apparatus, gold-coated mirrors.Optical Diagnostics: 60X stereo microscope, near infrared (NIR) video camera for thermal imaging, precision radiant power meter, illumination meter, high speed intensity detector.

                Society Memberships: AIAA, Combustion Institute

                Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, " Assessment Of Solid Hydrogen Slurry Fueling For An Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor," J. Propulsion and Power, 20, 5, (2004).

                2.  S.C. Bates, and P.R. Solomon, "Elevated Temperature Oxygen Index Measurements and Apparatus," Journal of Fire Sciences, 11, May/June, 271-284, (1993)

                3.  S.C. Bates, " Flame Imaging Studies of Combustion Completion in a SI Four-Stroke Engine," Comb. Sci. & Tech., 105, 1-18, (1995).

                4.  S.C. Bates, R. Carangelo, K.S. Knight, M.A. Serio, "FT-IR Hadamard tomography of sooting flames", Rev. Sci. Instrum., 64, 5, 1213-1221, (1993).

                5.  S.C. Bates, "Insights into Spark-Ignition Four-Stroke Combustion Using Direct Flame Imaging," Combustion and Flame, 85, 3 & 4, 331-352 (1991).

                6.  S.C. Bates, R. Carangelo, K.S. Knight, M.A. Serio, "FT-IR Hadamard tomography of sooting flames", Rev. Sci. Instrum., 64, 5, 1213-1221, (1993).

 

4) Cryogenics/Cryogenic Solids

                Employment Experience: 1977-1982 Staff Member Fusion Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, working on ISX-A&B Tokamaks – Head Neutral Beam Operation, using large liquid nitrogen baffled, liquid helium cryopumps using a helium liquefier for supply.  Cryopumps.

                Funded Work: Measurement of Shear Strength of Solid Oxygen, Solid Oxygen Particle Combustion, Solid Hydrogen Particle Combustion, Solid Hydrogen Scramjet Fuelling, Solid Hydrogen Pellet Production and High-Speed Injection.

                Areas of Additional Research: Solid Hydrogen Ablation, Extensive Research into the Properties of van der Waals Solids – especially H2, O2, and C60, Cryostabilized Propellant Additives, Cryogenic Valves, Engineering Properties of Cryosolids, Spectroscopy of Solid H2 & O2, Cryochemistry, Cryogenic van der Waals Compounds.

                U.S. Patent #6,003,300 “Technique for High Mixing Rate, Low Loss Supersonic Combustion with Solid Hydrogen and Liquid Helium Fuel," S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available: Cryogenics Equipment: Koch 1400 Helium Liquefier, 2 Koch 1410 He compressors and subcomponents that form a complete helium liquefication plant, Janis Supertran-VP continuous flow cryostat with a dual temperature controller that allows optical inspection of samples held at a temperature adjustable from 1.4 to 325 K.  100 and 500 l LHe, 500 l LN2 dewars, Standard cryogenic equipment consisting of dewars, vacuum insulated transfer lines, thermometry, and level detection.  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.

                Society Memberships: Cryogenic Society of America

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, and T.L. Altshuler, "Shear Strength Testing of Solid Oxygen," Cryogenics, 35, 559-566, (1995).

                2. S.C. Bates, " Assessment Of Solid Hydrogen Slurry Fueling For An Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor," J. Propulsion and Power, 20, 5, (2004).

                3. S.C. Bates, “Title : Cryostabilized Propellant Additives,” AIAA Paper #: AIAA-2003-5213, (2003).
                4.  S.C. Bates, "Prototype Cryogenic Solid Hydrogen Storage and Pellet Injection System," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  USAF Phillips Lab Contract # F04611-93-C-0086, Report # PL-TR-94-3015, (1994).             

                5.  S.C. Bates, "Discrete Injection and Storage of Solid Oxygen," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  USAF Phillips Lab Contract # F29601-92-C-0094, Report # PL-TR-93-3013, (1993).    

 

5) Crystal Growth

                Funded Work: Optical Heating for Temperature Gradient Control in Bridgman Crystal Growth

                Areas of Additional Research: Crystal Growth Furnaces, Transparent Furnaces, Temperature Gradient Control, Sapphire crystal growth, Bridgman Process Crystal Growth, Crystal Perfection Diagnosis.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:   Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.  Furnace Equipment: 2000oC Tungsten 12x20x25 cm hot zone and 2200oC graphite 6x20 cm hot zone Vacuum Furnaces, 1300oC Tube Air Furnace, 1300oC 50 cm cube Kiln, a 1600oC fiber treatment furnace, 700oC low power furnace (75 watts), a 250oC 45x35x55 cm oven, plus variety of 1200oC and below furnaces. Oven, Eurotherm temperature controllers, all types of standard and high temperature (PtRh) thermocouple monitors.  Transparent Furnace Apparatus: Two temperature-controlled transparent furnaces (a single zone and a 2-zone type) and associated hardware designed to permit total optical access to small pieces undergoing heat treatment at temperatures up to 1200oC.  These furnaces contain heat radiation to achieve high operating temperatures by using an infrared reflecting outer shell.  Imaging Equipment:  High resolution digital cameras, B/W and color video cameras, VCR, monitors, video frame grabber/processor, and image processing software.  Materials Inspection, Handling, and Testing Equipment: Jeol JSM-35 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Bausch & Lomb Metallograph, controlled atmosphere glovebox, hood and vent systems, ultrasonic cleaners, precision balances.  Materials Processing Equipment:  Boy 15/7 Injection Molding Machine, 20 ton press, 2 Strasbaugh polishing machines with polishing apparatus,   Dallan Labs planetary lapping machine, manual polishing equipment.  Precision diamond cutoff saw, diamond band saw, variety of diamond tooling.  Sample Preparation Equipment:  Wide variety of polishing materials, laps, fixtures, cutting devices and tools for both metals and ceramics.

                Society Memberships: MRS

                Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, K.S. Knight, " Auxiliary Optical Heating for Controlled Crystal Growth," J. Crystal Growth, 240, 1-2, 277-286, (2002).

                2.  S.C. Bates, X.S. Zhang, T.S. Bigelow, "Low Loss Sapphire Windows for High Power Microwave Transmission," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  USDOE Contract # DE-FG02-95ER86038, April, (1996).

                3.  S.C. Bates, L. Liou, "High Performance Sapphire Windows," Technology 2002, NASA Conference, Baltimore , MD , Dec., (1992).

 

6) Diamond

                Patent: U.S. Patent #5,885,541  “Process for the Fabrication of Bulk Porous Diamond,” S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Areas of Additional Research: Fullerene diamond growth, CVD diamond growth, Diamond Heat Sink, CVD Diamond Impurities, Applications of Diamond in Optics & Heat Transfer.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Materials Inspection, Handling, and Testing Equipment: Jeol JSM-35 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Bausch & Lomb Metallograph, controlled atmosphere glovebox, hood and vent systems, ultrasonic cleaners, precision balances.  Materials Processing Equipment:  Boy 15/7 Injection Molding Machine, 20 ton press, 2 Strasbaugh polishing machines with polishing apparatus,   Dallan Labs planetary lapping machine, manual polishing equipment.  Precision diamond cutoff saw, diamond band saw, variety of diamond tooling.

                Society Memberships: MRS

 

7) Endoscope Shells           

                Funded Work: Development of a Gas Cooled Endoscope Shell

                Areas of Additional Research: Gas Cooled Endoscope Shell Applications, Water Cooled Endoscope Shells, Endoscope Window Bonding, Endoscope Windows & Lenses, Endoscope Cleaning Flows.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Imaging Equipment:  High resolution digital cameras, B/W and color video cameras, VCR, monitors, video frame grabber/processor, and image processing software.  Light Sources: 15W CO2 laser, low power HeNe lasers, arc lamps, compact arc flash lamps, high power halogen lamps, mercury UV lamp, tungsten filament lamps, fiber optic illuminators.  Optics:  Optical bench, optical cements, bundles and illuminators, various lenses, wide variety of sapphire windows, low f-number elliptical and planar electrodeposited mirrors, variety of wavelength-variable filters, extensive mounting and translation apparatus, gold-coated mirrors.  Optical Diagnostics: 60X stereo microscope, near infrared (NIR) video camera for thermal imaging, precision radiant power meter, illumination meter, high speed intensity detector.

                Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, M.J. Pollack, "Gas-cooled probe protectors," Proc. SPIE, Vol. 3852, Sept. (1999)

                2.  M. Pollack and S.C. Bates, "Taking Optical Probes in Harsh Environments," Sensors, 17, 6, 76-82 June, (2000).

 

8) Fiber Optics

                Funded Work: High Temperature Fiber Optic Imaging, Sapphire Fiber Cladding, Pt Tipped Sapphire Fiber Temperature Sensors.

                Areas of Additional Research: Fiber Optic Sensors, Fiber Optic High Power Delivery, Fiber Optic Polishing, Sapphire Fibers, Fiber Optic Cladding, Fiber Optic Sliprings, Mechanical Properties of Fibers, Fiber Fabrication, High Temperature Fiber Optic Sensors, Mechanical and Optical Response of Fibers to High Temperature, Fiber Production, Fiber Drawing Furnaces.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Fiber Optics: Wide variety of fibers: sapphire, quartz, glass, plastic, fiber polishing equipment, fiber test optical mounts, fixturing devices, focussing optics.  Imaging Equipment:  High resolution digital cameras, B/W and color video cameras, VCR, monitors, video frame grabber/processor, and image processing software.  Light Sources: 15W CO2 laser, low power HeNe lasers, arc lamps, compact arc flash lamps, high power halogen lamps, mercury UV lamp, tungsten filament lamps, fiber optic illuminators.  Optics:  Optical bench, optical cements, bundles and illuminators, various lenses, wide variety of sapphire windows, low f-number elliptical and planar electrodeposited mirrors, variety of wavelength-variable filters, extensive mounting and translation apparatus, gold-coated mirrors.  Optical Diagnostics: 60X stereo microscope, near infrared (NIR) video camera for thermal imaging, precision radiant power meter, illumination meter, high speed intensity detector.

                Society Memberships: SPIE

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, and R.F. Chang, "High Temperature Fiber Optic Imaging," Fiber and Integrated Optics, 16, 387-405, (1997).

                2.  M.A. Serio, H. Teng, K.S. Knight, S.C. Bates, P.R. Solomon, "In-Situ FT-IR Diagnostics for Coal Liquefaction Processes," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  USDOE Contract # DE-FG05-91ER81151, June, (1992).

                3.  M.A. Serio, H. Teng, K.S. Knight, S.C. Bates, et.al., "In-situ fiber optic FT-IR spectroscopy for coal liquefaction processes", SPIE Paper No. 2069, (Dec., 1993).

 

9) Flow Diagnostics

                MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department at MIT (BS 70, MS 71, ScD 77), 4.8/5.0 GPA

                ScD Thesis: Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer

                He designed, built, and operated a blowdown facility to study turbulent mixing.  For this program he considered an array of flow visualization techniques including gas or liquid optical excitation, index of refraction difference imaging (Schlieren and Shadowgraph), particle seeding, and others.  The most appropriate technique at that time was found to be planar excited phosphorescence pumped by a focused UV flash lamp which was then a novel technique.  The thesis data was in the form of the intensified flow structure images, and data analysis was limited by a lack of the image processing hardware and software now available and used in his later sapphire engine work.  Flow velocities measured with a hot wire anemometer.

                Employment Experience: 1983-1990 Staff Engineer, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren , MI

Over 6 years (1984-90) his project was the design, construction, and successful operation of a unique (in the world at the time and currently much copied) single cylinder engine with full compression and combustion in a single-crystal sapphire cylinder.  Together with a quartz piston top this engine gives complete optical access to the flow and combustion processes in the cylinder.  Instantaneous image-intensified videography of engine flames together with image processing and analysis led to extensive research and publications concerning the fundamental processes of flow and flame propagation inside of the cylinder.  As a tool for studying in-cylinder flows he developed a velocity diagnostic based on seeding micron-sized phosphorescing particles into the flow.

                Funded Work: ScD Thesis research on turbulent flow visualization, Particle Tracer Imaging.

                Areas of Additional Research: Extensive research into a wide variety of gas flow visualization techniques at low to high flow speeds and Reynolds numbers, Detailed experimental experience with optical use of particle and gaseous tracers, Graphical presentation of flows.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available: Combustion Equipment:  Variety of laminar and turbulent burners of different geometries, Torches, Compressed flammable gases.  Fiber Optics:  Wide variety of fibers: sapphire, quartz, glass, plastic, fiber polishing equipment, fiber test optical mounts, fixturing devices, focusing optics.  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.  Imaging Equipment:  High resolution digital cameras, B/W and color video cameras, VCR, monitors, video frame grabber/processor, and image processing software.  Light Sources: 15W CO2 laser, low power HeNe lasers, arc lamps, compact arc flash lamps, high power halogen lamps, mercury UV lamp, tungsten filament lamps, fiber optic illuminators.

 Optics:  Optical bench, optical cements, bundles and illuminators, various lenses, wide variety of sapphire windows, low f-number elliptical and planar electrodeposited mirrors, variety of wavelength-variable filters, extensive mounting and translation apparatus, gold-coated mirrors.  Optical Diagnostics: 60X stereo microscope, near infrared (NIR) video camera for thermal imaging, precision radiant power meter, illumination meter, high speed intensity detector.

                Society Memberships: AIAA

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, "A displaced‑line velocity diagnostic and its application in a visualization engine," Experiments in Fluids, 7, 5, 335‑343 (1989).

                2.  S.C. Bates, "Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer", Gas Turbine Lab Report #134, M.I.T. (1977).

                3. S.C. Bates, "UAV Droplet Heat Exchanger," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  NASA Contract # NAS4-97018, Sept. (1997). 

                4.  S.C. Bates, "Flame Imaging Studies of Flame Development in a SI Four‑Stroke Engine," Dynamics of Deflagrations and Reactive Systems: Flames, A.L. Kuhl, J.C. Leyer, A.A. Borisov, and W.A. Sirignano, Progress in Astronautics and Aeronautics, 131, AIAA, Washington , DC , 335-377 (1991).

                5. S.C. Bates, " Assessment Of Solid Hydrogen Slurry Fueling For An Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor," J. Propulsion and Power, 20, 5, (2004).

 

10) Fluid Mechanics

                MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics Department at MIT (BS 70, MS 71, ScD 77), 4.8/5.0 GPA

                ScD Thesis: Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer

                He designed, built, and operated a blowdown facility to study turbulent mixing.  For this program he considered an array of flow visualization techniques including gas or liquid optical excitation, index of refraction difference imaging (Schlieren and Shadowgraph), particle seeding, and others.  The most appropriate technique at that time found to be planar excited phosphorescence pumped by a focused UV flash lamp which was then a novel technique.  The thesis data was in the form of the intensified flow structure images, and data analysis was limited by a lack of the image processing hardware and software now available and used in his later sapphire engine work.

                Employment Experience: 1983-1990 Staff Engineer, General Motors Research Laboratories, Warren , MI

Over 6 years (1984-90) his project was the design, construction, and successful operation of a unique (in the world at the time and currently much copied) single cylinder engine with full compression and combustion in a single-crystal sapphire cylinder.  Together with a quartz piston top this engine gives complete optical access to the flow and combustion processes in the cylinder.  Instantaneous image-intensified videography of engine flames together with image processing and analysis led to extensive research into the visualization of the flows and flames inside the cylinder volume. Dr. Bates developed a velocity diagnostic based on seeding micron-sized phosphorescing particles into the flow to provide visualization of the 3-D in-cylinder velocities.

                Funded Work: Droplet and Particle Laden Flows, Supersonic Flows & Shock Waves, Ablation, Combustion Flows, Fluid Flow in Pipes, Molecular Gas Flow.

                Areas of Additional Research: Laminar, Transition, and Turbulent Flow, Laminar & Turbulent Mixing, Vortices, Hypersonic Flows, Flow Visualization, Particles and Droplets in Flows, Flow Convection/Buoyancy Flows, Non-Newtonion Flows, Boundary Layer Flows, Lubrication Flows, Plasma Flows, 2 and 3 Phase Flows.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available: Combustion Equipment:  Variety of laminar and turbulent burners of different geometries, Torches, Compressed flammable gases.  Fiber Optics:  Wide variety of fibers: sapphire, quartz, glass, plastic, fiber polishing equipment, fiber test optical mounts, fixturing devices, focusing optics.  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.  Vacuum Systems: Multiported, Instrumented Diffusion Pump Vacuum Stations: one 20 cm ID x 110 cm long, one 60 cm ID x 40 High with automated controls, 50 cm Bell-Jar Vacuum Station; Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA), multiple diffusion pumps and mechanical vacuum pumps, LN2 baffles and traps, ionization, thermocouple, convection gauges, conflat/KF& etc. hardware.

                U.S. Patent #6,003,300 “Technique for High Mixing Rate, Low Loss Supersonic Combustion with Solid Hydrogen and Liquid Helium Fuel," S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Society Memberships: AIAA

                Selected References:

                1.  S.C. Bates, "A displaced‑line velocity diagnostic and its application in a visualization engine," Experiments in Fluids, 7, 5, 335‑343 (1989).

                2.  S.C. Bates, "Luminescent Visualization of Molecular and Turbulent Transport in a Plane Shear Layer", Gas Turbine Lab Report #134, M.I.T. (1977).

                3. S.C. Bates, "UAV Droplet Heat Exchanger," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  NASA Contract # NAS4-97018, Sept. (1997). 

                4. S.C. Bates, " Assessment Of Solid Hydrogen Slurry Fueling For An Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor," J. Propulsion and Power, 20, 5, (2004).

                5.  S.C. Bates, K.H. Burrell, "Fast gas injection system for plasma physics experiments", Rev. Sci. Instrum., 55, 6, June, 934‑939 (1984).

 

11) Fullerenes    

                Areas of Additional Research: Fullerenes for Ion Engines, Fullerenes as a Diamond Precursor, Fullerene Production Techniques.

                Patent:  U.S. Patent #5,885,541  “Process for the Fabrication of Bulk Porous Diamond,” S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Fluid Sensors, Controls, and Supplies: Standard and miniature electronic pressure sensors, high and low pressure multiple gas supplies, gauges and fittings, compressed air and bottled gases.  Liquid, gas flowmeters, filters; Hydraulic pumps and fittings.  Vacuum Systems: Multiported, Instrumented Diffusion Pump Vacuum Stations: one 20 cm ID x 110 cm long, one 60 cm ID x 40 High with automated controls, 50 cm Bell-Jar Vacuum Station; Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA), multiple diffusion pumps and mechanical vacuum pumps, LN2 baffles and traps, ionization, thermocouple, convection gauges, conflat/KF& etc. hardware.

                Society Memberships: MRS

                Selected References:

                1.  V. Hruby, M. Martinez-Sanchez, S. Bates, D. Lorents, "Fullerene Fueled Electrostatic Thrusters - Feasibility and Initial Experiments," AIAA Paper 94-3240, (1994).

                2.  V. Hruby, M. Martinez-Sanchez, S. Bates, D. Lorents, "A High Thrust Density, C60, Cluster, Ion Thruster," AIAA Paper 94-2466, (1994).

 

12) Furnace Systems

                Funded Work: High Efficiency Solar Furnace Core, High Temperature Transparent Furnace (NASA), Low Power Space Furnace (NASA), High Efficiency Solar Furnace (NASA), Designed and Developed many types of Commercial Air, Vacuum, and Inert Gas Furnaces up to 2000oC and above.

                Areas of Additional Research: Ceramics, Ceramic Insulation, Convective, Conductive, & Radiative heat transfer, High temperature materials, Detailed properties and behavior of tungsten, molybdenum, and kanthal, MoSi2, Furnace fabrication techniques, Electrical heating techniques, Generic furnace design, Design of air, reducing, and vacuum furnaces, Temperature Diagnostics, Furnace Electrical Power Supplies, Furnace Temperature Controllers.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Furnace Equipment: 2000oC Tungsten 12x20x25 cm hot zone and 2200oC graphite 6x20 cm hot zone Vacuum Furnaces, 1300oC Tube Air Furnace, 1300oC 50 cm cube Kiln, a 1600oC fiber treatment furnace, 700oC low power furnace (75 watts), a 250oC 45x35x55 cm oven, plus variety of 1200oC and below furnaces. Oven, Eurotherm temperature controllers, all types of standard and high temperature (PtRh) thermocouple monitors.  Transparent Furnace Apparatus: Two temperature-controlled transparent furnaces (a single zone and a 2-zone type) and associated hardware designed to permit total optical access to small pieces undergoing heat treatment at temperatures up to 1200oC.  These furnaces contain heat radiation to achieve high operating temperatures by using an infrared reflecting outer shell.  Vacuum Systems: Multiported, Instrumented Diffusion Pump Vacuum Stations: one 20 cm ID x 110 cm long, one 60 cm ID x 40 High with automated controls, 50 cm Bell-Jar Vacuum Station; Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA), multiple diffusion pumps and mechanical vacuum pumps, LN2 baffles and traps, ionization, thermocouple, convection gauges, conflat/KF& etc. hardware.

                Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, “High Efficiency Solar Furnace Core,” SBIR Phase I Final Report, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Contract # NNM05AA41C, July, (2005).

                2. S.C. Bates, “Low Mass, Low Power, Low Cost Space Furnace,” SBIR Phase I Final Report, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Contract # NAS8-99040, June, (1999).

                3.  D.W. Yoel and S.C. Bates "Visual Monitoring of MIM Debinding and Sintering", International Conference on Powder Metallurgy and Particulate Materials, May 14-17 Seattle , Washington (1995).

                4.  S.C. Bates, "High Temperature Transparent Furnace Development," SBIR Phase 2 Final Report,  NASA Contract # NAS3-27664, July, (1997).          

                5.  S.C. Bates, and R.F. Chang, "High Temperature Fiber Optic Imaging," Fiber and Integrated Optics, 16, 387-405, (1997).

 

13) Fusion (Nuclear) Systems

                MIT: Took double the # of course credits needed for BS; 1/3 in the Physics Dept, including numerous graduate courses. 4.8/5.0 overall GPA

                Employment Experience: 1977-1982 Staff Member Fusion Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, worked on ISX-A&B Tokamaks – Machine Operation, Head Neutral Beam Operation, Gas fuelling, MHD diagnostic, Ion Exchange Diagnostic, Diagnostic Neutral Beam.

                Areas of Additional Research: Plasma Dynamics, Plasma Diagnostics, Plasma-Surface Interactions and Diagnostics, Plasma Fuelling, Neutral Beam Injection, Microwave Power Injection.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Vacuum Systems: Multiported, Instrumented Diffusion Pump Vacuum Stations: one 20 cm ID x 110 cm long, one 60 cm ID x 40 High with automated controls, 50 cm Bell-Jar Vacuum Station; Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA), multiple diffusion pumps and mechanical vacuum pumps, LN2 baffles and traps, ionization, thermocouple, convection gauges, conflat/KF& etc. hardware.

                Society Memberships:  Am. Phys. Soc. (APS) (78‑83).

                Selected References:

                1.  L.A. Massengill, P.H. Edmonds, S.C. Bates, C.M. Loring, "Neutral beam systems for the ISX‑B experiment", Proc. Symp. Eng. Probl. Fusion Res., 8, 2, 953‑5 (1979).

                2.  S.D. Scott, J.F. Lyon, J.K. Munro, D.J. Sigmar, S.C. Bates, J.D. Bell, C.E. Bush, A. Carnevali, et. al., "Measurements of Periodic Ripple Transport in the ISX‑B Tokamak", Nucl. Fusion ( Austria ), 25, March, 359‑382 (1985).

                3.  S.C. Bates, K.H. Burrell, "Fast gas injection system for plasma physics experiments", Rev. Sci. Instrum., 55, 6, June, 934‑939 (1984).

                4.  G.H. Neilson, E.A. Lazarus, M. Murakami, A.J. Wooton, J.L. Dunlap, S.C. Bates, J.D. Bell, C.E. Bush, P.H. Edmonds, et. al., "Beta and confinement scaling studies with neutral‑beam heating in the ISX‑B tokamak", Nucl. Fusion ( Austria ), 23, 3, March, 285‑94 (1983).

                5.  M. Murakami, G.H. Neilson, H.C. Howe, T.C. Jernigan, S.C. Bates, C.E. Bush, et. al., "Plasma confinement studies in the ISX‑A Tokamak", Phys. Rev. Lett., 42, 10, 655‑8 (1979).

 

14) Heat Exchangers

                Employment Experience: 1) 1977-1982 Staff Member Fusion Energy Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Heat Exchange Measurement of Neutral Beam Power.

                2) 1983-1988 Engineer, General Motors Research Labs – Heat Exchange design of a realistic sapphire-cylinder spark ignition research engine.

                Funded Work: High Altitude UAX Direct Contact Droplet Heat Exchanger, Air/Liquid Heat Exchangers, Attached Tube Heat Exchangers.

                Areas of Additional Research: TvU performs work in all types of Conductive, Convective and Radiative Heat Exchangers that use a wide variety of materials and materials interfaces.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Coolers:  Polycold -50oC baffle chiller.  Combustion Equipment:  Variety of laminar and turbulent burners of different geometries, Torches, Compressed flammable gases.  Cryogenics Equipment: Koch 1400 Helium Liquefier, 2 Koch 1410 He compressors and subcomponents that form a complete helium liquefication plant, Janis Supertran-VP continuous flow cryostat with a dual temperature controller that allows optical inspection of samples held at a temperature adjustable from 1.4 to 325 K.  100 and 500 l LHe, 500 l LN2 dewars, Standard cryogenic equipment consisting of dewars, vacuum insulated transfer lines, thermometry, and level detection.  Furnace Equipment: 2000oC Tungsten 12x20x25 cm hot zone and 2200oC graphite 6x20 cm hot zone Vacuum Furnaces, 1300oC Tube Air Furnace, 1300oC 50 cm cube Kiln, a 1600oC fiber treatment furnace, 700oC low power furnace (75 watts), a 250oC 45x35x55 cm oven, plus variety of 1200oC and below furnaces. Oven, Eurotherm temperature controllers, all types of standard and high temperature (PtRh) thermocouple monitors.  Transparent Furnace Apparatus: Two temperature-controlled transparent furnaces (a single zone and a 2-zone type) and associated hardware designed to permit total optical access to small pieces undergoing heat treatment at temperatures up to 1200oC.  These furnaces contain heat radiation to achieve high operating temperatures by using an infrared reflecting outer shell.            Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, "UAV Droplet Heat Exchanger," SBIR Phase I Final Report,  NASA Contract # NAS4-97018, Sept. (1997). 

                2.  S.C. Bates, P.H. Edmonds, J. Kim, C.E. Bush, L.A. Massengill, D.R. Overbey, and J.W. Pearce, "ISX‑B Neutral Beams and the Beam Target Experiment", Oak Ridge National Laboratory Report ORNL/TM‑7452 (1980).

                3. S.C. Bates, “Low Mass, Low Power, Low Cost Space Furnace,” SBIR Phase I Final Report, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Contract # NAS8-99040, June, (1999).

                4. S.C. Bates, “In Flight Imaging Systems For Hypervelocity And Reentry Vehicles,” SBIR Phase I Final Report, NASA Langley Research Center, Contract # NNL04AB18P, July, (2004).
                5. S.C. Bates, “Techniques in Cryostabilized Additive Concentration,” AIAA Paper #: AIAA-2004-4038, (2004).

15) Heat Transfer

                Funded Work: High Altitude UAX Direct Contact Droplet Heat Exchanger, High Power Sapphire Microwave Windows, Ablation Heat Transfer, Many Commercial Laboratory Furnaces, Rocket Propulsion Heat Transfer, Liquid Cooling of many devices, Gas Cooling of Endoscope Shells, Hypersonic Vehicle Heat Transfer.

                Areas of Additional Research: TvU performs work in all types of Conductive, Convective and Radiative Heat Exchange through a wide variety of materials and materials interfaces.

                Specifically Relevant TvU Facilities and Equipment Available:  Coolers:  Polycold -50oC baffle chiller.  Combustion Equipment:  Variety of laminar and turbulent burners of different geometries, Torches, Compressed flammable gases.  Cryogenics Equipment: Koch 1400 Helium Liquefier, 2 Koch 1410 He compressors and subcomponents that form a complete helium liquefication plant, Janis Supertran-VP continuous flow cryostat with a dual temperature controller that allows optical inspection of samples held at a temperature adjustable from 1.4 to 325 K.  100 and 500 l LHe, 500 l LN2 dewars, Standard cryogenic equipment consisting of dewars, vacuum insulated transfer lines, thermometry, and level detection.  Furnace Equipment: 2000oC Tungsten 12x20x25 cm hot zone and 2200oC graphite 6x20 cm hot zone Vacuum Furnaces, 1300oC Tube Air Furnace, 1300oC 50 cm cube Kiln, a 1600oC fiber treatment furnace, 700oC low power furnace (75 watts), a 250oC 45x35x55 cm oven, plus variety of 1200oC and below furnaces. Oven, Eurotherm temperature controllers, all types of standard and high temperature (PtRh) thermocouple monitors.  Transparent Furnace Apparatus: Two temperature-controlled transparent furnaces (a single zone and a 2-zone type) and associated hardware designed to permit total optical access to small pieces undergoing heat treatment at temperatures up to 1200oC.  These furnaces contain heat radiation to achieve high operating temperatures by using an infrared reflecting outer shell.

                U.S. Patent #6,003,300 “Technique for High Mixing Rate, Low Loss Supersonic Combustion with Solid Hydrogen and Liquid Helium Fuel," S.C. Bates, Glastonbury , CT , 1999

                Selected References:

                1. S.C. Bates, “Low Mass, Low Power, Low Cost Space Furnace,” SBIR Phase I Final Report, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Contract # NAS8-99040, June, (1999).

                2. S.C. Bates, " Assessment Of Solid Hydrogen Slurry Fueling For An Air Breathing Supersonic Combustor," J. Propulsion and Power, 20, 5, (2004).