Chris James' research is in the field of experimental hypersonics. His research interests include expansion tube and shock tunnel test facility design and condition development and the experimental study of planetary entry aerothermodynamics using both optical techniques and physical measurements. Chris has authored and co-authored 23 journal publications and 44 conference publications in his field.
Chris graduated from Mechanical Engineering at UQ in 2012. Following this, he completed his PhD in the Centre for Hypersonics at the University of Queensland (UQ).
During his PhD he developed very high speed Uranus and Saturn entry conditions which were used to perform the fastest experiments which have ever been performed in an expansion tube, as well as developing expansion tube simulation and analysis codes which are now widely used in the Centre for Hypersonics. He also enrolled in a cotutelle program with École Centrale Paris in Paris, France, and after being awarded an Eiffel Excellence Scholarship by the French government, he passed a year on exchange in Paris, France. In France, Chris was working on developing the capability to perform radiating simulations to support his experimental work at UQ.
Post PhD he was employed in the Centre for Hypersonics helping to develop the X3R reflected shock tunnel, while also supervising and conducting expansion tube research on the X2 expansion tube at UQ.
In 2020, Chris took on a lecturing position for the year and was awarded an Australian Research Council DECRA early career fellowship to study Mars return conditions with heated test models at UQ over the next several years. He was the 2020 recipient of the UQ EAIT Faculty Early Career Researcher Award.
Chris lectures in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at UQ. He lectures both hypersonics and space engineering, covering varied topics such as high temperature gas dynamics, rarefied gas dynamics, orbital mechanics, rocket trajectories, spacecraft design, spacecraft thermal and power management, and planetary entry.
Conference Publication: Measurements of Hypersonic Double Cone Flows with Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interactions in X3 Expansion Tunnel
Kennedy, Aaron, Penty Geraets, Rowland T., James, Christopher M., Thompson, Matthew, Morgan, Richard G., Austin, Joanna M., Zander, Fabian and McGilvray, Matthew (2023). Measurements of Hypersonic Double Cone Flows with Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interactions in X3 Expansion Tunnel. AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, National Harbor, MD United States, 23-27 January 2023. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-0271
Conference Publication: Optimisation of super orbital earth re-entry conditions in an expansion tunnel
Curtis, Kieren, James, Christopher M., Lock, Sam, Lu, Nathan and Lewis, Steven W. (2022). Optimisation of super orbital earth re-entry conditions in an expansion tunnel. AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, Chicago, IL United States, 27 June - 1 July 2022. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-3420
Conference Publication: Ultrahigh-speed emission spectroscopy for flow analysis in laboratory environments
Lu, Nathan, Andrianatos, Andreas, James, Christopher M., Jacobs, Carolyn and McIntyre, Timothy (2022). Ultrahigh-speed emission spectroscopy for flow analysis in laboratory environments. AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, Chicago, IL United States, 27 June - 1 July 2022. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-3419
Advancing the Science of Giant Planet Atmospheric Entry
(2023–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
Polymer Matrix Composite Thermal Protection Liners
(2023–2026) Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC
Experimental study of non-equilibrium turbulence-chemistry interaction in external hypersonic flows
(2022–2026) United States Office of Naval Research
Development of X2 Driver conditions producing low density hypersonic test flows
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental Investigation of Turbulence Chemistry Interaction in High Enthalpy Flows
Master Philosophy
Experimental and numerical study of the non-equilibrium flow environment experienced during ice giant planetary entry
Master Philosophy
Study of planetary entry flows with radiation and ablation.
Opportunities always exist for the study of planetary entry in our impulse wind tunnel facilities, either with or without ablation and radiation. These opportunities relate to the particular planetary entry issues which are popular at the time. Currently, these include high speed Earth re-entry which is important for return from Mars in the future, giant planet entry for a planned Uranus or Neptune entry mission, Mars entry at large scale, and Titan entry for an upcoming NASA mission. The phenomena which is studied depends on the particular physical phenomena which is uncertain for the particular scenario. For high speed Earth re-entry, this is the interaction of radiation and ablation, for giant planet entry it is the study of the largely non-equilibrium post-shock flow, for Mars entry it is radiation at low temperatures as seen on the backshell of the vehicle or later in the trajectory, as well as turbulent heating due to the large vehicle sizes, for example. Students with an interest in these topics should contact Dr James directly at c.james4@uq.edu.au for details of specific projects.
Magnetohydrodynamic experiments of total heat flux mitigation for superorbital earth reentry
Lefevre, Alexis, Gildfind, David E., Gollan, Rowan J., Jacobs, Peter A. and James, Christopher M. (2022). Magnetohydrodynamic experiments of total heat flux mitigation for superorbital earth reentry. AIAA Journal, 60 (9), 1-14. doi: 10.2514/1.j061771
Coaxial Thermocouple Heat Flux Measurements in Heavily Ionized Flows with Magnetic Fields
Lefevre, Alexis, Gildfind, David E. and James, Christopher M. (2022). Coaxial Thermocouple Heat Flux Measurements in Heavily Ionized Flows with Magnetic Fields. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 36 (4), 1-7. doi: 10.2514/1.t6446
Electron number density measurements in a Saturn entry condition
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G., Jacobs, Peter A., Gollan, Rowan and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2022). Electron number density measurements in a Saturn entry condition. AIAA Journal, 60 (3), 1303-1315. doi: 10.2514/1.j060560
Detecting shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using high-frequency photodiodes
James, C. M., Cox, D., Komonen, A., Barltrop, L., Wikner, D. R. and McIntyre, T. J. (2021). Detecting shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using high-frequency photodiodes. Shock Waves, 31 (4), 399-411. doi: 10.1007/s00193-021-01026-6
Experimental and computational fluid dynamics study of Hayabusa reentry peak heating
Fahy, Elise J., Buttsworth, David R., Gollan, Rowan J., Jacobs, Peter A., Morgan, Richard G. and James, Christopher M. (2021). Experimental and computational fluid dynamics study of Hayabusa reentry peak heating. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58 (6), 1-14. doi: 10.2514/1.a34863
Expansion tube experiments of magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking for superorbital earth reentry
Lefevre, Alexis, Gildfind, David E., Gollan, Rowan J., Jacobs, Peter A., McIntyre, Timothy J. and James, Christopher M. (2021). Expansion tube experiments of magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking for superorbital earth reentry. AIAA Journal, 59 (8), 1-13. doi: 10.2514/1.j060253
Australian rapid-response airborne observation of the Hayabusa2 reentry
Zander, Fabian, Buttsworth, David R., Birch, Byrenn, Noller, Lachlan, Wright, Duncan, James, Christopher M., Thompson, Matthew, Apirana, Steven, Leis, John, Lobsey, Craig and Payne, Allan (2021). Australian rapid-response airborne observation of the Hayabusa2 reentry. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58 (6), 1-5. doi: 10.2514/1.a35062
Graphite ablation and radiation on interaction with hypervelocity earth-entry flows
Ravichandran, Ranjith, Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Graphite ablation and radiation on interaction with hypervelocity earth-entry flows. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 35 (2), 1-14. doi: 10.2514/1.t5928
Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube
James, Christopher M., Lewis, Steven W., Morgan, Richard G., Liu, Yu and Lefevre, Alexis (2020). Generating High-Speed Earth Reentry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 58 (2), 1-18. doi: 10.2514/1.a34821
Magnetohydrodynamic drag measurements in an expansion tunnel with argon test gas
Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., Jacobs, Peter A., Cullen, Timothy G., James, Christopher M., Liu, Yu, Gollan, Rowan and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Magnetohydrodynamic drag measurements in an expansion tunnel with argon test gas. AIAA Journal, 58 (10), 4495-4504. doi: 10.2514/1.j059540
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Experimental validation of a test gas substitution for simulating non-equilibrium giant planet entry conditions in impulse facilities. Experiments in Fluids, 61 (9) 198. doi: 10.1007/s00348-020-03032-3
Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tunnel using a stress wave force balance
Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., Mee, David J., James, Christopher M. and Allsop, Barry V. (2020). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tunnel using a stress wave force balance. Experiments in Fluids, 61 (8) 180. doi: 10.1007/s00348-020-03015-4
Using optically filtered high-speed imaging to characterise expansion tube operating conditions
James, C. M., Smith, D. R., McLean, C., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W., Toniato, P., Wei, H. and McIntyre, T. J. (2020). Using optically filtered high-speed imaging to characterise expansion tube operating conditions. Shock Waves, 30 (5), 523-544. doi: 10.1007/s00193-020-00948-x
Experimentally Simulating Giant Planet Entry in an Expansion Tube
James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Experimentally Simulating Giant Planet Entry in an Expansion Tube. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 57 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.2514/1.a34457
Sheikh, Umar A., Wei, Han, Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Leyland, Pénélope, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Correction: Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in x2 (AIAA Journal, (2017), 55, 12, (4167-4180), 10.2514/1.J056021). AIAA Journal, 58 (11), AU2-AU2. doi: 10.2514/1.J056021.c1
Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., McIntyre, Timothy J., Mee, David J., James, Christopher M. and Andrianatos, Andreas (2019). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tunnels using an accelerometer-based force balance. Experiments in Fluids, 60 (12) 183. doi: 10.1007/s00348-019-2828-9
Rapid prototyping for hypervelocity impulse facility test models
Apirana, Steven F. T., James, Christopher M., Eldridge, Robert, Morgan, Richard G. and Lewis, Steven W. (2019). Rapid prototyping for hypervelocity impulse facility test models. Aerospace Science and Technology, 88, 174-184. doi: 10.1016/j.ast.2019.03.024
Simulating gas giant atmospheric entry using helium and neon test gas substitutions
James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2019). Simulating gas giant atmospheric entry using helium and neon test gas substitutions. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 56 (3), 725-743. doi: 10.2514/1.a34282
Calculating shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using Bayesian changepoint analysis
James, Christopher M., Bourke, Emily J. and Gildfind, David E. (2018). Calculating shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using Bayesian changepoint analysis. Experiments in Fluids, 59 (6) 92. doi: 10.1007/s00348-018-2546-8
Improved test time evaluation in an expansion tube
James, Christopher M., Cullen, Timothy G. , Wei, Han, Lewis, Steven W., Gu, Sangdi, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2018). Improved test time evaluation in an expansion tube. Experiments in Fluids, 59 (5) 87. doi: 10.1007/s00348-018-2540-1
James, C. M., Gildfind, D. E., Lewis, S. W., Morgan, R. G. and Zander, F. (2018). Implementation of a state-to-state analytical framework for the calculation of expansion tube flow properties. Shock Waves, 28 (2), 349-377. doi: 10.1007/s00193-017-0763-3
Carbon ablation in hypervelocity air and nitrogen shock layers
Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Ravichandran, Ranjith, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2017). Carbon ablation in hypervelocity air and nitrogen shock layers. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 32 (2), 449-468. doi: 10.2514/1.T5270
X3 expansion tube driver gas spectroscopy and temperature measurements
Parekh, V., Gildfind, D., Lewis, S. and James, C. (2017). X3 expansion tube driver gas spectroscopy and temperature measurements. Shock Waves, 28 (4), 851-862. doi: 10.1007/s00193-017-0754-4
Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in X2
Sheikh, Umar A., Wei, Han, Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Leyland, Pénélope, Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2017). Spectrally filtered imaging and vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy of preheated models in X2. AIAA Journal, 55 (12), 1-14. doi: 10.2514/1.J056021
Carbon ablative shock layer radiation with high surface temperatures
Lewis, Steven W., James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J., Alba, Christopher R. and Greendyke, Robert B. (2017). Carbon ablative shock layer radiation with high surface temperatures. Journal of Thermophysics and Heat Transfer, 31 (1), 193-204. doi: 10.2514/1.T4902
Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver
Gildfind, David E., James, Chris M., Toniato, Pierpaolo and Morgan, Richard G. (2015). Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 777, 364-407. doi: 10.1017/jfm.2015.349
Free-piston driver performance characterisation using experimental shock speeds through helium
Gildfind, D. E., James, C. M. and Morgan, R. G. (2015). Free-piston driver performance characterisation using experimental shock speeds through helium. Shock Waves, 25 (2), 169-176. doi: 10.1007/s00193-015-0553-8
Kennedy, Aaron, Penty Geraets, Rowland T., James, Christopher M., Thompson, Matthew, Morgan, Richard G., Austin, Joanna M., Zander, Fabian and McGilvray, Matthew (2023). Measurements of Hypersonic Double Cone Flows with Shock Wave/Boundary Layer Interactions in X3 Expansion Tunnel. AIAA SCITECH 2023 Forum, National Harbor, MD United States, 23-27 January 2023. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2023-0271
Optimisation of super orbital earth re-entry conditions in an expansion tunnel
Curtis, Kieren, James, Christopher M., Lock, Sam, Lu, Nathan and Lewis, Steven W. (2022). Optimisation of super orbital earth re-entry conditions in an expansion tunnel. AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, Chicago, IL United States, 27 June - 1 July 2022. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-3420
Ultrahigh-speed emission spectroscopy for flow analysis in laboratory environments
Lu, Nathan, Andrianatos, Andreas, James, Christopher M., Jacobs, Carolyn and McIntyre, Timothy (2022). Ultrahigh-speed emission spectroscopy for flow analysis in laboratory environments. AIAA Aviation 2022 Forum, Chicago, IL United States, 27 June - 1 July 2022. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-3419
University of Queensland near infrared spectroscopy of the Hayabusa2 re-entry
James, Christopher M., Liu, Yu, Thompson, Matthew and Apirana, Steven F. T. (2022). University of Queensland near infrared spectroscopy of the Hayabusa2 re-entry. AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum, Chicago, IL USA, 27 June-1 July 2022. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-3735
Lefevre, Alexis, Gildfind, David E., Gollan, Rowan J., Jacobs, Peter A., James, Christopher M. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2022). Experimental measurements of total heat flux for superorbital earth reentry with magnetohydrodynamic flow control. AIAA SCITECH Forum, San Diego, CA, United States & Virtual, 3-7 January 2022. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-0828
James, Christopher M., Thompson, Matthew, Apirana, Steven F. T., Zander, Fabian, Buttsworth, David R. and Payne, Allan (2022). System design and preliminary analysis of the UQ near infrared spectroscopy data of the hayabusa2 re-entry. AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum, San Diego, CA United States, 3-7 January 2022. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2022-2153
A proposal for a generalised asteroid mining mission
Bonner, Peter J. and James, Christopher M. (2021). A proposal for a generalised asteroid mining mission. Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery conference, ASCEND 2021, Online, 15-17 November 2021. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-4018
Radiative heat flux measurements for superorbital earth re-entry experiments in an expansion tube
Lefevre, Alexis, Gildfind, David E., Gollan, Rowan J., Jacobs, Peter A., McIntyre, Timothy J. and James, Christopher M. (2021). Radiative heat flux measurements for superorbital earth re-entry experiments in an expansion tube. Accelerating Space Commerce, Exploration, and New Discovery conference, ASCEND 2021, Las Vegas, NV, United States and Virtual, 15-17 November 2021. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-4142
Experimental methods for studying post shock relaxation
Apirana, Steve F., James, Christopher M., Lewis, Steven and Morgan, Richard G. (2021). Experimental methods for studying post shock relaxation. AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, Virtual, 11–15 and 19–21 January 2021. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-0446
Infrared thermography on a biconic model in Hypersonic expansion tube flows
Cullen, Timothy G., James, Christopher M., Ravichandran, Ranjith, Thompson, Matthew, Moran, Michael, Ramesh, Ranjini, Morgan, Richard G. and Nadesan, Thirukumaran (2021). Infrared thermography on a biconic model in Hypersonic expansion tube flows. AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, Virtual, 11–15 and 19–21 January 2021. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-0873
Instrumented hypervelocity testing using additive manufacturing
Eldridge, Robert W., Phan, Tan, James, Christopher M. and Apirana, Steve F. (2021). Instrumented hypervelocity testing using additive manufacturing. AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, Virtual, 11–15 and 19–21 January 2021. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-1630
Self-absorption and electron number density measurements on Saturn entry radiation
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy (2021). Self-absorption and electron number density measurements on Saturn entry radiation. AIAA Scitech 2021 Forum, Virtual, 11–15 and 19–21 January 2021. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2021-0209
Using aerothermodynamic similarity to experimentally study nonequilibrium giant planet entry
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2020). Using aerothermodynamic similarity to experimentally study nonequilibrium giant planet entry. Joint Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States, 25-29 June 2018. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/1.a34713
Development of a fast-response diamond calorimeter heat transfer gauge
Geraets, Rowland T. Penty, McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke J., Morgan, Richard G., James, Christopher M. and Buttsworth, David R. (2020). Development of a fast-response diamond calorimeter heat transfer gauge. 33rd AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference, Denver, CO USA, 5-9 June 2017. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/1.t5688
Scaled Apollo Heating Testing in a Large Expansion Tube
James, Christopher M., Ravichandran, Ranjith, Smith, Daniel R., Cullen, Timothy G. and Morgan, Richard (2020). Scaled Apollo Heating Testing in a Large Expansion Tube. AIAA AVIATION 2020 FORUM , Virtual Event, 15-19 June 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-3278
Simulating Uranus Entry in an Expansion Tube
James, Christopher M., Liu, Yu and Morgan, Richard (2020). Simulating Uranus Entry in an Expansion Tube. AIAA AVIATION 2020 FORUM , Virtual Event, 15-19 June 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-3110
Stennett, Samuel J., Gildfind, David, Jacobs, Peter, Morgan, Richard, James, Christopher and Toniato, Pierpaolo (2020). The X3R Free-Piston Reflected Shock Tunnel: Australia's New Large-Scale, Long-Duration Hypersonic Testing Capability. 23rd AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Montreal, Canada , March 10-12, 2020. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2020-2447
Testing of ultra fast response, durable co-axial thermocouples for high enthalpy impulse facilities
James, Christopher M., Birch, Byrenn, Smith, Daniel R., Cullen, Timothy G., Millard, Theodore, Vella, Samuel, Liu, Yu, Morgan, Richard G., Stern, Nathan and Buttsworth, David (2019). Testing of ultra fast response, durable co-axial thermocouples for high enthalpy impulse facilities. AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, Dallas, TX USA, 17-21 June 2019. Reston, VA USA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2019-3007
A preliminary investigation into high-enthalpy free-flying model experiments
Page, Matthew and James, Chris (2019). A preliminary investigation into high-enthalpy free-flying model experiments. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.
Application of Infrared Thermography in an Expansion Tunnel
Cullen, T., James, C., Gollan, R. and Morgan, R. (2019). Application of Infrared Thermography in an Expansion Tunnel. In: Proceedings of the 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW32 2019). 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW32 2019), Singapore, (1139-1165). 14-19 July 2019. doi:10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0271-cd
Detecting shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using high frequency photodiodes
James, C.M., Cox, D., Komonen, A., Barltrop, L., Wikner, D.R. and McIntyre, T.J. (2019). Detecting shock arrival in expansion tubes and shock tunnels using high frequency photodiodes. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.
Thompson, M., James, C.M. and Morgan, R.G. (2019). Development of a high enthalpy driver in an expansion tube for generating Uranus entry flow conditions. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.
Cullen, T. G., James, C. M., Gollan, R. J. and Morgan, R. G. (2019). Development of a total enthalpy and Reynolds number matched Apollo re-entry condition in the X2 expansion tunnel. 31st International Symposium on Shock Waves, Nagoya, Japan, 9-14 July 2017. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-91017-8_24
Expansion tube experiments of graphite ablation and radiation in hypervelocity earth-entry flows
Ravichandran, R., Lewis, S.W., James, C.M., Morgan, R.G. and McIntyre, T.J. (2019). Expansion tube experiments of graphite ablation and radiation in hypervelocity earth-entry flows. 8th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases, Madrid, Spain, 25-29 March 2019.
Thompson, Matthew, James, Christopher M., Lewis, Steven W., Gildfind, David E. and Morgan, Richard G. (2019). Generating 5-km/s low density hypersonic test flows in an expansion tube for studying ultraviolet radiation. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves, Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: ISSW. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0337-cd
James, Christopher M., Lewis, Steven W., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., McIntyre, Timothy J. and Liu, Yu (2019). Generating High Speed Earth Re-entry Test Conditions in an Expansion Tube for Interplanetary Return Missions. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW32 2019), Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: Research Publishing Services. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0424-cd
Generating high speed earth re-entry test conditions in an expansion tube
James, Christopher, Lewis, Steven, Gildfind, David, Morgan, Richard and McIntyre, Timothy (2019). Generating high speed earth re-entry test conditions in an expansion tube. 8th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases, Madrid, Spain, 25-29 March 2019.
Hypervelocity boundary-layer flow with high-temperature surface ablation
Temme, Nils, James, Christopher M., McIntyre, Timothy, Lewis, Steven W. and Morgan, Richard G. (2019). Hypervelocity boundary-layer flow with high-temperature surface ablation. AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, Dallas, TX United States, 17-21 June 2019. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2019-3135
Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes using an accelerometer
Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E. , James, Christopher M., Andrianatos, Andreas, Mee, David J. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2019). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in expansion tubes using an accelerometer. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves, Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: Research Publishing Services. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0145-cd
Liu, Yu, Toniato, Pierpaolo, James, Chris, Morgan, Richard and McIntyre, T.J. (2019). Multidimensional effects and self- absorption on spectroscopic observations of Saturn entry radiation. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.
Simulation of time resolved radiative emission in the X2 expansion tube
Millard, T. R. and James, C. M. (2019). Simulation of time resolved radiative emission in the X2 expansion tube. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW32 2019), Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: Research Publishing Services. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0009-cd
Studying post-shock relaxation using a Mach Disk
Apirana, S.F.T., James, C.M., Lewis, S.W., Morgan, R.G. and Zander, F. (2019). Studying post-shock relaxation using a Mach Disk. 11th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 December 2019. Gold Coast, Australia: Engineers Australia.
The X3R reflected shock tunnel: a new, long-duration operating mode for the X3 expansion tube
Stennett, S. J., Gildfind, D. E., Jacobs, P. A., Morgan, R. G., James, C. M. and Toniato, P. (2019). The X3R reflected shock tunnel: a new, long-duration operating mode for the X3 expansion tube. Asia Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT 2019), Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 4-6 December 2019.
Theoretical and experimental study of helium-neon substitution for Saturn entry radiation
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy (2019). Theoretical and experimental study of helium-neon substitution for Saturn entry radiation. AIAA Aviation 2019 Forum, Dallas, TX United States, 17-21 June 2019. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2019-3134
Using a Simplified Canny Edge Detector to Detect Shock Arrival in Expansion Tubes and Shock Tunnels
James, Christopher M. (2019). Using a Simplified Canny Edge Detector to Detect Shock Arrival in Expansion Tubes and Shock Tunnels. 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves (ISSW32 2019), Singapore, 14-19 July 2019. Singapore: Research Publishing Services. doi: 10.3850/978-981-11-2730-4_0031-cd
Expansion Tube Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments with Argon Test Gas
Gildfind, David E., Smith, Daniel, Lewis, Steven W., Kelly, Rory, James, Christopher M., Wei, Han and McIntyre, Timothy (2018). Expansion Tube Magnetohydrodynamic Experiments with Argon Test Gas. 2018 Flow Control Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, 25-29 June 2018. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2018-3754
Experimental study of saturn entry radiation with higher amount of diluent in an expansion tube
Liu, Yu, James, Christopher M., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2018). Experimental study of saturn entry radiation with higher amount of diluent in an expansion tube. 12th AIAA/ASME Joint Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference, 2018, Atlanta, GA United States, 25 - 29 June 2018. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2018-4070
Flow characterization and modeling of the X2 and X3 expansion tubes
Gildfind, David E., Jacobs, Peter A., Gollan, Rowan J., Toniato, Pierpaolo, McIntyre, Timothy J., Andrianatos, Andreas, James, Christopher M. and Morgan, Richard G. (2018). Flow characterization and modeling of the X2 and X3 expansion tubes. VKI Lecture Series STO-AVT-235 on Flow Characterization and Modeling of Hypersonic Wind Tunnels, Brussels, Belgium, 3-5 December 2018.
Improving high enthalpy expansion tube condition characterisation using high speed imagery
James, Christopher M., Smith, Daniel R., McLean, Carl, Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and Toniato, Pierpaolo (2018). Improving high enthalpy expansion tube condition characterisation using high speed imagery. 34th AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference 2018, Atlanta, GA United States, 25 - 29 June 2018. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA. doi: 10.2514/6.2018-3805
Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tube
Smith, Daniel R., Gildfind, David E., James, Christopher M., McIntyre, Timothy J. and Wheatley, Vincent (2018). Magnetohydrodynamic drag force measurements in an expansion tube. 9th AIAA Flow Control Conference 2018, Atlanta, GA United States, 25 - 29 June 2018. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2018-3755
Rapid prototyping in instrumented hypervelocity testing
Eldridge, R., James, C.M., Apirana, S. and Morgan, R.G. (2018). Rapid prototyping in instrumented hypervelocity testing. 18th Australian Space Research Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 24-26 September 2018.
Development of a fast-response calorimeter gauge for hypersonic ground testing
Geraets, Rowland T. Penty, McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke J., Morgan, Richard G., James, Christopher M., Vanyai, Tristan and Buttsworth, David R. (2017). Development of a fast-response calorimeter gauge for hypersonic ground testing. AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference, Denver, CO, United States, 5-9 June 2017. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautic. doi: 10.2514/6.2017-3238
Development of a fast-response calorimeter heat transfer gauge for hypersonic ground testing
Geraets, Rowland T. Penty, McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke J., Morgan, Richard G., James, Christopher M., Vanyai, Tristan and Buttsworth, David R. (2017). Development of a fast-response calorimeter heat transfer gauge for hypersonic ground testing. 33rd AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology and Ground Testing Conference, Denver, Colorado, 5-9 June 2017. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, AIAA.
Experimentally simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube
James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2017). Experimentally simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube. 21st International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Xiamen, China, 6 - 9 March 2017. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2017-2152
Interaction of ablating carbon with expanding earth entry flows in the X2 expansion tube
Ravichandran, R., Lewis, S.W., James, C.M., Morgan, R.G. and McIntyre, T.J. (2017). Interaction of ablating carbon with expanding earth entry flows in the X2 expansion tube. 9th Ablation Workshop, Bozeman, MT, United States, 30-31 August 2017.
Simulating gas giant entry with increased helium diluent in an expansion tube
James, C. M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W. and McIntyre, T. M. (2017). Simulating gas giant entry with increased helium diluent in an expansion tube. 30th International Symposium on Shock Waves, Tel Aviv, Israel, 19-24 July 2015. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-44866-4_104
McGilvray, Matthew , Pearce, William and James, Christopher (2016). Non-Helium Secondary Driver. 7th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases in Atmospheric Entry, Stuttgart, Germany, 21-26 November 2016.
Advanced hypersonic vehicle component testing using pre-heated models and infrared scanning
Morgan, R., Rees, B., Rutherford, J., Jefferey, M., Sollart, M., Morris, N., Basore, K., James, C., Wei, H., Gu, S., Lewis, S. and Landsberg, W. (2015). Advanced hypersonic vehicle component testing using pre-heated models and infrared scanning. 7th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology (APISAT), Cairns, QLD, Australia., 25-27 November, 2015.
James, C. M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W., Fahy, E. J. and McIntyre, T.J. (2015). Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube. 8th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, Lisbon, Portugal, 2-6 March 2015.
On the current limits of simulating gas giant entry flows in an expansion tube
James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G., Lewis, Steven W., Fahy, Elise J. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2015). On the current limits of simulating gas giant entry flows in an expansion tube. AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, 6 - 9 July 2015. Reston, VA, United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-3501
Simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube
James, C., Gildfind, D., Morgan, R, Lewis, S., Fahy, E. and McIntyre, T. (2015). Simulating gas giant entry in an expansion tube. 7th Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Cairns, Australia, 25-27 November 2015.
Working towards simulating gas giant entry radiation in an expansion tube
James, C .M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G. and McIntyre, T. J. (2015). Working towards simulating gas giant entry radiation in an expansion tube. International Symposium on Shock Waves, Madison, WI, United States, 14-19 July 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-16835-7_89
X3 expansion tube driver gas spectroscopy and temperature measurements
Parekh, Viha, Gildfind, David, Lewis, Steven and James, Christopher (2015). X3 expansion tube driver gas spectroscopy and temperature measurements. AIAA Australian-Asia Regional Student Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 23-24 November, 2015. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
James, C. M., Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G., Lewis, S. W., Fahy, E. J. and McIntyre, T. J. (2014). On the limits of simulating gas giant entry at true gas composition and true flight velocities in an expansion tube. 6th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases in Atmospheric Entry, St Andrews, United Kingdom, 24-28 November 2014.
Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver
Gildfind, D. E., James, C. M. and Morgan, R. G. (2014). Performance considerations for expansion tube operation with a shock-heated secondary driver. 19th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-11 December 2014. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: RMIT University.
James, Christopher, Gildfind, David, Morgan, Richard and McIntyre, Tim (2014). The limits of simulating gas giant entry at true gas composition and true flight velocities in an expansion tube. 19th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-11 December 2014. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: RMIT University.
Designing and simulating high enthalpy expansion tube conditions
James, Chris, Gildfind, David, Morgan, Richard G., Jacobs, Peter A. and Zander, Fabian (2013). Designing and simulating high enthalpy expansion tube conditions. APISAT 2013: 2013 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Takamatsu, Japan, 20-22 November 2013. Takamatsu, Japan: Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences.
Theoretical validation of a test gas substitution for expansion tube simulation of gas giant entry
James, Christopher M., Gildfind, David E., Morgan, Richard G. and McIntyre, Timothy J. (2013). Theoretical validation of a test gas substitution for expansion tube simulation of gas giant entry. 44th AIAA Thermophysics Conference, San Diego, United States, 24-27 June 2013. Red Hook, NY, USA: Curran Associates. doi: 10.2514/6.2013-2506
Radiation from simulated atmospheric entry into the gas giants
James, C. M. and Morgan, R. M. (2012). Radiation from simulated atmospheric entry into the gas giants. 18th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference (AFMC), Launceston, Australia, 3-7 December 2012. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Australasian Fluid Mechanics Society.
Advancing the Science of Giant Planet Atmospheric Entry
(2023–2026) ARC Discovery Projects
Polymer Matrix Composite Thermal Protection Liners
(2023–2026) Sovereign Manufacturing Automation for Composites CRC
Experimental study of non-equilibrium turbulence-chemistry interaction in external hypersonic flows
(2022–2026) United States Office of Naval Research
Beyond Apollo: The interaction of radiation and ablation during Mars return
(2021–2023) ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
Enhancing the understanding of planetary entry phenomena using additive manufacturing
(2020–2022) Research Donation Generic
Development of X2 Driver conditions producing low density hypersonic test flows
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Experimental Investigation of Turbulence Chemistry Interaction in High Enthalpy Flows
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Experimental and numerical study of the non-equilibrium flow environment experienced during ice giant planetary entry
Master Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Development of a high speed emission spectroscopy system for the study of planetary entry phenomena
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Investigation of ablation radiation coupling for high speed Earth re-entry
Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor
Other advisors:
Non equilibrium reacting shock layers
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Investigation of heat flux and catalycity for giant planet entry
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Integration of Cooling into Ceramic Matrix Composite Structures
Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor
Other advisors:
Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.
Study of planetary entry flows with radiation and ablation.
Opportunities always exist for the study of planetary entry in our impulse wind tunnel facilities, either with or without ablation and radiation. These opportunities relate to the particular planetary entry issues which are popular at the time. Currently, these include high speed Earth re-entry which is important for return from Mars in the future, giant planet entry for a planned Uranus or Neptune entry mission, Mars entry at large scale, and Titan entry for an upcoming NASA mission. The phenomena which is studied depends on the particular physical phenomena which is uncertain for the particular scenario. For high speed Earth re-entry, this is the interaction of radiation and ablation, for giant planet entry it is the study of the largely non-equilibrium post-shock flow, for Mars entry it is radiation at low temperatures as seen on the backshell of the vehicle or later in the trajectory, as well as turbulent heating due to the large vehicle sizes, for example. Students with an interest in these topics should contact Dr James directly at c.james4@uq.edu.au for details of specific projects.