This Fellowship has given Dr Ukai the opportunity to build on his existing technical skills and gained comprehensive mastery in the field of energy deposition systems, flow control and advanced flow diagnostics. The technological nature of research project has attracted the interest of industrial partners and academic collaborators. One of the objectives of this investigation was to identify further groups in society, which may benefit from the findings of this study. The energy sector industries and consultancies have been approached for employing the developed technologies. He was also member of the local organizing committee of the 22nd International Shock Interaction Symposium. As part of the Symposium world-leading experts have been invited to provide feedback and advice, to promote dissemination, exploitation and knowledge transfer activities, and to facilitate collaborations and future exchanges.
Impact is in the design, development and deployment of laser-based flight and flow control systems to high-speed transports and ‘access to space’ vehicles with the following important technology breakthroughs: 1) control of external shock structures to reduce drag, and hence specific fuel consumption and emissions; 2) pressure and heat loads reduction to improve structural integrity and aerodynamic performance; 3) optimization of engine inlet pressures, control of engine internal shocks and jet mixing, and exhaust flow structures to improve engine performance, weight, emissions and noise characteristics. The Fellowship has contributed to the following missions: travelling safely from London to New York under three hours and ‘access to space’ for business or tourism.
The project outcome has helped industrial end-users in the development of future high-speed vehicles, whilst helping in the optimisation and design of the next generation of lighter, more efficient, greener, quieter, and cheaper aircrafts. The aforementioned benefits to each of these organisations have led to the investment in and creation of new technology, bringing with it the opportunity for new jobs and wealth creation.
