Dr. Kentaro Hara, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M University, was awarded the 2018 Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) Award from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR).
His research project is titled “Theoretical Characterization of Electron Transport in Partially Magnetized Plasmas.” This research focuses on understanding the mechanism of how the electron flows along and across the magnetic fields using computational models. This phenomenon is particularly important in a Hall effect thruster, a promising electric propulsion device developed and employed for in-space missions both domestically and internationally. He will receive the grant over a three-year period totaling $450,000.
The YIP is open to scientists and engineers at research institutions across the United States who have received Ph.D. or equivalent degrees in the last five years and who show exceptional ability and promise for conducting basic research. AFOSR awarded more than $19.1 million in grants to 43 scientists and engineers from 37 research institutions and businesses.
The objective of the program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators, and increase opportunities for the young investigators to recognize the Air Force mission and the related challenges in science and engineering.
Hara received his Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan and was a postdoctoral researcher at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory prior to joining the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A&M in 2016. His research interests include electric propulsion, plasma physics and applications, kinetic theory and simulations, and computational fluid dynamics.
The official announcement can be found here: http://www.wpafb.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1339310/afosr-awards-grants-to-43-scientists-and-engineers-through-its-young-investigat/