Plasmadynamics & Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Overview of Research Projects at the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory

Saturday, May 8 at 4:45 PM ET

Joshua Woods
PhD Candidate

Joshua Woods graduated from Columbia University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering in the spring of 2016. He joined the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory (PEPL) that fall. Currently, he is a fifth-year PhD candidate researching inductive pulsed plasma thrusters. In particular, his focus is to derive a low-to-mid fidelity performance model of rotating magnetic field thrusters to provide further insight into their fundamental operation. In addition to his work at PEPL, Joshua was a pathways intern at NASA Johnson Space Center during college where he primarily worked on projects involving integrating in-situ resource utilization technology into different spacecraft systems. After graduation, he hopes to continue working in the field of electric propulsion.

Leanne Su
PhD Candidate

Leanne Su is a third-year Ph.D. candidate in Aerospace Engineering. She graduated in 2018 with a B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington before joining the Plasmadynamics and Electric Propulsion Laboratory at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on magnetically-shielded high-power Hall thrusters, and in particular the effect of alternate propellants such as krypton instead of xenon. Outside of the lab, Leanne is involved in outreach efforts to younger students--particularly those traditionally underrepresented in STEM--as well as building departmental community as the president of the Aerospace Graduate Student Advisory Committee.

Recording

Slides

Space_Symposium_2021_PEPL.pptx

Stellar Amenities

SEDS