Transient plasma: Energy, engines, and aerospace applications

Summary form only given. Transient plasma in atmospheric pressure fuel-air mixtures, that is, plasma during a formative, short time period prior to equilibration of the plasma electron energy distribution, is studied for applications to the fundamental improvement of fuel-burning engine efficiency. Transient plasma has been demonstrated to substantially reduce ignition delay, and shows promise for improving engine efficiency through improved combustion efficiency. This transient plasma requires operation with short (<;100ns) pulsed high voltage, and typically requires only small pulse energy (typ. 10mJ to <;1J), require nanosecond-range pulsed power generation. Results for studies of several varied engine types including internal combustion engines and pulse detonation engines will be reviewed, and ideas for future directions will be presented.