Skip to main content

Simulation and Implementation of Interrupted Cold Molecular Flows

Academic lead
Sven van Loo (Physics)
Co-supervisor(s)
Julia Lehman (Chemistry)
Project themes
Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows

This project aims to develop and optimise the experimental set-up used to measure the kinetics of a chemical reaction Using computational fluid dynamics the properties of a supersonic molecular flow through a Laval nozzle will be studied. 

Being able to manipulate a uniform supersonic molecular flow in a known and controllable way offers unique advantages to the cold chemistry community, especially in the fields of astrochemistrychemical reaction kinetics, and fundamental physical chemistry. As such, this project is a combined theoretical and experimental project. You will simulate molecular flows through Laval nozzles and then investigate the impact on the flow by inserting a skimmer or Airfoil sampling system into the flow. Following optimization of nozzle and skimmer geometries to minimize the flow disruption, you will implement and test your findings in an experimental apparatus in the School of Chemistry. 

Figure: Laval nozzle uniform supersonic (US) flow, from Potapov et alAngew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2017, 56, 8618