Daniel Mitchell
Fulbright Postgraduate Scholar
Media Profile
“Australia has recently achieved recognition around the world for the achievement of the University of Queensland’s Hyshot scramjet program. Scramjets offer a tantalizing alternative to conventional jets and have the potential to significantly cut flight times, which would mean flying to the other side of the world in a matter of a few hours.”
Daniel Mitchell has received a 2007 Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship to undertake research at Stanford University into the fluid mechanics of fuel injection into scramjets - that is, engines designed for supersonic and hypersonic flight. This research will go towards his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at Monash University he is currently undertaking through an Australian Postgraduate Award.
“My Fulbright gives me the opportunity to gain exposure to world class research in an area that is critical to the success of the scramjet program – fuel injection,” explains Daniel. “Professors Godfrey Mungal and Ron Hanson at Stanford University are world renowned for their work in laser diagnostics and fluid mechanics and have strong links to industrial and military research.
“Australia has recently achieved international prominence in the field of scramjet research through the Hyshot program. The research I will carry out on my Fulbright Scholarship will increase Australia’s involvement in the development of this new technology
“Scramjets offer an alternative to conventional jets, with the potential to cut flight times. The long term potential benefit could mean flying to the other side of the world in a matter of a few hours, which has obvious appeal for anyone who has ever sat through a flight to London from Australia.
“However, many fundamental engineering problems must be addressed before scramjets can be considered mature technology. A key issue plaguing scramjet design is the problem of effective fuel injection. Due to the high speed flow in the combustion section, injecting fuel and stabilising flame is a significant challenge, which this research will address.
“My research focuses on the application of optical techniques to the determination of velocity and density fields for a hydrogen jet in cross-flow, specifically a transverse supersonic jet.
“A better understanding of fuel jet and flow interactions will allow for the optimisation of scramjet engines, and a continuation of Australian success in the field. Through my research I also hope to strengthen research and co-operative links between my Monash University and Stanford University and build links with the proposed Scramjet facility at Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) with the Department of Defence in Melbourne,” states Daniel.
Daniel completed a Bachelor of Engineering and Technology with First Class Honours at Monash University, where he received the ESSO Mechanical Engineering Prize, and the highest mark in year level for his undergraduate thesis PIV Measurements in an Under-expanded Supersonic Jet. He also spent one year at the University of Queensland where he received a Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement.