Shock wave interaction with a toroidal air plasma

Abstract

DEDICATIONThis work is dedicated to those who have supported me throughout my academic career. I am especially grateful to my parents, Donald and Joan Lodes, my brother, Andy Lodes, my loving girlfriend, Audrey Spalding, and all my close friends for their support and encouragement through this process. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to express my thanks to Dr. Randy Curry for this opportunity and his continued efforts in this research program. Dr. Curry has continually pushed me to do more and he has heavily influenced my education in this field of research. I also would like to recognize the contributions of Michael Rudroff, who is pursuing his M.S. for related research and assisted greatly in the construction of the test bed and collection of the data on this program. Additional contributions have been made by numerous undergraduate research assistants as well as technicians Scott Booska and Mark Nichols.