The Department of Mechanical, Materials, and Aerospace Engineering presents its seminar series featuring Neil Rodrigues, optical physicist at the NASA Langley Research Center, who will give a presentation on “Recent Applications of Molecular-Based Laser Diagnostics Relevant to Space Technology and Exploration.” This seminar will take place on Wednesday, October 30, from 12:45–1:45 p.m. in room 104 of the Rettaliata Engineering Center.

Abstract

Highlights from recent test campaigns at large-scale NASA facilities using molecular-based laser diagnostics will be summarized in this presentation. In particular, the application of Planar Laser-induced Fluorescence (PLIF) to measure flows designed to further understand and enable the following NASA areas of interest will be discussed: 1) safely landing on the moon and Mars, and 2) entering a planetary atmospheric at hypersonic speeds. The measurements presented here have the potential to aid researchers in validating complex simulations and inform designs for spaceflight vehicles.

Biography

Neil Rodrigues has been working as an optical physicist at the NASA Langley Research Center since 2022 and was a postdoctoral fellow at NASA Langley from 2020–2022. Prior to his postdoctoral appointment at NASA, he graduated with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2020, where he performed experimental research on next generation combustion systems. He graduated with an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Fairfield University before joining the Ph.D. program. In his spare time, Neil enjoys visiting new places and is an avid baseball fan.