Plasma Aerodynamics an Area of Fluid International Collaboration (Diversity) Published July 26, 2010 By Maria Callier Office of Scientific Research ARLINGTON, Virginia -- Setting a new standard for innovative collaboration between international research partners, US and Russian scientists are jointly engaged in a unique, AFRL-organized research effort employing high-speed wind tunnels to make key discoveries in the critical area of plasma aerodynamics. Specifically targeted by the cooperative venture are plasma-assisted combustion and plasma-based flow control, emergent capabilities of significance to future aerospace propulsion based on their use of state-of-the-art microwave and laser technologies to create flow-field plasma. The response time for a plasma-based system is essentially a nanosecond, and the plasma is produced in a microsecond. The ongoing mutual exploration of this cutting-edge technology could redefine combustion and related diagnostics within the global community at a time when economic factors in Russia enable the US to work with some very talented scientists there. The Russian scientists have brought years of sophisticated theoretical knowledge, an extensive understanding of plasmas, and experience working in high-energy microwave facilities to the research venture. Meanwhile, the US scientists have been able to validate concepts for light control of generic aircraft shapes by comparing their own research results to the data available from Russia's Saint-Petersburg State University. With some of the team's initial plasma research having already transitioned to AFRL's Propulsion Directorate for further application, enthusiasm for the project continues to gain momentum across US, Russian, and Ukrainian scientific communities, the collective membership of which views this collaboration--and others like it--as crucial to conducting advanced research into flow plasma technology.