Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for creating phobic and philic surfaces (for example, superphobic and superphilic surfaces) are disclosed. Embodiments include methods for determining a heat treatment technique that increases the likelihood that a uniformly etched surface with minimal pitting will be formed when the surface of a material is subject to etching. Additional embodiments include evaluating the PRE number of the material, performing an anodic polarization sweep of the material, evaluating the polarization curve (current vs. potential) for the material, performing different etching protocols depending on the range of values the PRE number of the material belongs, and/or pulsing the current applied to the material during the etching process. Additional embodiments include apparatuses and methods for predictably etching a surface (such as a surface of a metal alloy) of a material, which can include etching interior portions of a hollow work piece.

Abstract: A high enthalpy and low-cost Hypersonic Test Facility (HTF), which employs nitrous oxide to generate clean air-like gas; and a method of decomposing nitrous oxide in the presence of a catalyst in a catalytic decomposition chamber in a HTF.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions comprising a convenient fuel and a cycloheptatriene and/or its analogs, and methods of making and using the hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions comprising a convenient fuel and a cycloheptatriene and/or its analogs, and methods of making and using the hypergolic hydrocarbon fuel compositions.

Abstract: A system for measuring supersonic nozzle exhaust flow, comprising a seeding module, an optics module configured to direct an optical signal from the supersonic nozzle, and a streak camera. The streak camera is optically connected to the optical signal, the streak camera configured to image the path of the seed particles traveling in the nozzle exhaust flow. The seeding module includes a seed particle container and a seed particle injector configured to inject seed particles into a supersonic nozzle flow. The streak camera comprises a photocathode, a sweep module, a micro-channel plate, a phosphor screen, and a charged coupled imaging device.