Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/297333
20 florida.HIGH.TECH 2014 the ignited hydrogen, we reduce the potential payload size." ULA, the joint venture of Lockheed Martin and The Boeing Company, turned to experts at the University of Cen- tral Florida to better control the plumes of hydrogen and increase the carrying capacity of its Delta IV rocket. Song and his team theorized a method to mitigate the plume of hydrogen by injecting oxygen into the equation to create a less hazardous and environmentally friendly byproduct: water. But before testing the methods on a real launch, ULA worked with Dr. Alain Kassab, a UCF professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering, to run computer models of the chemical reactions. "During those three seconds prior to launch, a number of intense chain reactions take place to propel the rocket," said Kassab, whose expertise is in computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer. "Calculating how those liquids and gases interact through hundreds of numerical meth- ods and algorithms is extremely laborious, but also incred- ibly important." Thanks to the funds provided by the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the project brought on four students to Kassab's team to perform the computer simulations over and over again using different scenarios to demonstrate that the theory "holds water." The results of this research project could have far- reaching implications for future United Launch Alliance missions. "Currently we focus on launching commercial payloads such as research laboratories and weather, tele- communications and national security satellites," said Song. "In the future we hope to support resupply missions to the International Space Station." SMART SPRAY COATINGS High tech coatings have many uses, ranging from the highly scientific to more surprising consumer applica- tions, such as eyeglasses that tint when exposed to sun- light and beer cans that change color when their contents have reached the perfect temperature. Now one high tech spinoff company from the University of Central Florida is SCRIPTUNAS