Overview
Background
David Gildfind’s research is primarily concerned with experimental hypersonics. His research interests include: expansion tube facility development; scramjet propulsion; planetary entry aerothermodynamics; and magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking.
David graduated as an aerospace engineer from RMIT University in 2001. He worked in industry on various aircraft platforms in Australia and overseas (GKN in Melbourne 2002-2003 on A340/A380; Australian Aerospace in Brisbane 2003-2005 on DHC4 Caribou; and Stork Fokker in The Netherlands 2005-2007 on F35-JSF and Gulfstream G6), and retains a strong interest in aircraft structures. He later completed his PhD and post-doctoral work in hypersonics at the University of Queensland (UQ), where he developed the capability for expansion tubes wind tunnels to simulate reallistic scramjet flight trajectories beyond Mach 10. His research in this area includes optimising free-piston driver operation, expansion tube flow condition development, and test flow characterisation.
David became a lecturer at UQ's School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering in 2014, and teaches into aircraft structures, design, and hypersonics. During this time David has initiated a new research program on Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) aerobraking, which was awarded an ARC DECRA fellowship (2017-2020) to experimentally evaluate MHD aerobraking technology for a human mission to Mars. This work continues with ARC Discovery Projects "Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere" (2023-2025) and "Effect of Magnetic Field Deflection on Magnetohydrodynamic Heat Shield" (2025-2027), both of which David is leading. These projects are focussing on the development of new MHD aerobraking technology for both small and large scale spacecraft, to reduce spacecraft heating, leading to safer, more efficient, and potentially reusable spacecraft.
Availability
- Dr David Gildfind is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Expansion tube facility development
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Shock tunnel facility development
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Magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking
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Planetary entry aerothermodynamics
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Scramjet propulsion
Research impacts
Expansion tube facility development: expansion tubes are the only hypersonic wind tunnels capable of simulating the final stages of flight for a scramjet powered access-to-space launch vehicle, or of simulating true-flight-velocity aerodynamic flows for Earth return from deep space. Such experiments in a conventional wind tunnel become extraordinarilly difficult for scramjet flight beyond Mach 10 and spacecraft atmospheric entry faster than 7 km/s. Our research into expansion tubes is important because it significantly widens the range of reallistic aerodynamic ground testing which we can perform, paving the way for experimental evaluation of the spacecraft technologies of the future.
Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) aerobraking: The purpose of MHD aerobraking is to mitigate the immense heat loads during spacecrafct atmospheric entry and to facilitate landing on planets with low density atmospheres. Our team at UQ have conducted the first ground test experiments which have simulated this technology at flight-realistic hypervelocity speeds and with the correct electrodynamic boundary conditions around the body. We have been able to conduct magnetic drag measurements and measure the effect of the magnetic field on the shock layer which forms around the vehicle, and are now investigating how this technology can be harnessed in future spacecraft.
Works
Search Professor David Gildfind’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Conference Publication
Design and commissioning of a new lightweight piston for the X3 Expansion Tube
Gildfind, D. E., Morgan, R. G. and Sancho, J. (2015). Design and commissioning of a new lightweight piston for the X3 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_57
2015
Conference Publication
In situ exploration of metallic diaphragm rupture in a shock tunnel
Abdel-Magied, Yasseen, Gildfind, David and Malcolm, Douglas (2015). In situ exploration of metallic diaphragm rupture in a shock tunnel. AIAA Australian-Asia Regional Student Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 23-24 November, 2015.
2015
Conference Publication
High Mach Number Scramjet Test Flows in the X3 Expansion Tube
Gildfind, D. E., Sancho Ponce, J. and Morgan, R. G. (2015). High Mach Number Scramjet Test Flows in the X3 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_58
2015
Conference Publication
Limits of Simulating Gas Giant Entry at True Gas Composition and True Flight Velocities in an Expansion Tube
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.
2015
Conference Publication
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.
2015
Conference Publication
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
2015
Conference Publication
T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel
McGilvray, Matthew, Doherty, Luke, Morgan, Richard G. and Gildfind, David E. (2015). T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel. International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conferences, Glasgow, Scotland, 6-9 July 2015. Reston, VA United States: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. doi: 10.2514/6.2015-3545
2015
Conference Publication
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
2015
Conference Publication
T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel
McGilvray, Matthew , Doherty, Luke , Morgan, Richard G. and Gildfind, David (2015). T6: The Oxford University Stalker Tunnel. 8th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, Lisbon, Portugal, 2-6 March 2015.
2014
Other Outputs
Estimation of high-enthalpy flow conditions for simple shock and expansion processes using the ESTCj program and library
Jacobs, P. A., Gollan, R. J., Potter, D. F., Zander, F., Gildfind, D. E., Blyton, P., Chan, W. Y. K. and Doherty, L. (2014). Estimation of high-enthalpy flow conditions for simple shock and expansion processes using the ESTCj program and library. Mechanical Engineering Report 2011/02 St Lucia, QLD, Australia:
2014
Journal Article
A new shock tube configuration for studying dust-lifting during the initiation of a coal dust explosion
Gildfind, David E. and Morgan, Richard G. (2014). A new shock tube configuration for studying dust-lifting during the initiation of a coal dust explosion. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 29 (1), 198-208. doi: 10.1016/j.jlp.2014.02.011
2014
Conference Publication
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.
2014
Conference Publication
X3 reflected shock tunnel for extended flow duration
Morgan, Richard G. and David Gildfind (2014). X3 reflected shock tunnel for extended flow duration. The 2014 Asia-Pacific International Symposium on Aerospace Technology, Shanghai China, 24-26 September 2014. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
2014
Journal Article
Production of high-Mach-number scramjet flow conditions in an expansion tube
Gildfind, David, Morgan, Richard G., Jacobs, Peter A. and McGilvray, Matthew (2014). Production of high-Mach-number scramjet flow conditions in an expansion tube. AIAA Journal, 52 (1), 162-177. doi: 10.2514/1.J052383
2014
Conference Publication
Design of test flows to investigate binary scaling in high enthalpy CO2-N2 mixtures
de Crombrugghe, G., Gildfind, D., Zander, F., McIntyre, T. and Morgan, R. (2014). Design of test flows to investigate binary scaling in high enthalpy CO2-N2 mixtures. 19th Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 8-11 December 2014. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: RMIT University.
2014
Conference Publication
The limits of simulating gas giant entry at true gas composition and true flight velocities in an expansion tube
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.
2014
Conference Publication
On the limits of simulating gas giant entry at true gas composition and true flight velocities in an expansion tube
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.
2013
Journal Article
Vibration isolation in a free-piston driven expansion tube facility
Gildfind, D. E., Jacobs, P. A. and Morgan, R. G. (2013). Vibration isolation in a free-piston driven expansion tube facility. Shock Waves, 23 (5), 431-438. doi: 10.1007/s00193-013-0433-z
2013
Conference Publication
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
2013
Conference Publication
Design, operation and testing in expansion tube facilities for super-orbital re-entry
Jacobs, Peter, Morgan, Richard, Brandis, Aaron, Buttsworth, David, Dann, Andrew, D'Souza, Mary, Eichmann, Troy, Gildfind, David, Gollan, Rowan, Jacobs, Carolyn, McGilvray, Matthew, McIntyre, Tim, Mudford, Neil, Porat, Hadas, Potter, Dan and Zander, Fabian (2013). Design, operation and testing in expansion tube facilities for super-orbital re-entry. STO-AVT-VKI Lecture Series Radiation and Gas-Surface Interaction Phenomena in High Speed Re-Entry (2013-AVT-218), Rhode-St-Genèse, Belgium, 6-8 May 2013.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr David Gildfind is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Spacecraft Entry to Earth's Atmosphere
UQ's Centre for Hypersonics was recently awarded an Australian Research Council Discovery Project grant to study Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for spacecraft atmospheric entry to Earth. A spaceship returning from Mars will undergo unprecedented aerodynamic heating as it enters Earth's atmosphere. Magnetohydroynamic (MHD) aerobraking involves applying a strong magnetic field to the plasma which forms around the spacecraft at these speeds, theoretically protecting it by reducing structural heat loads and enabling less severe flight trajectories. Our research aims to experimentally study this technology for Earth return from deep space, and it is significant because it will evaluate a new mechanism for managing the tremendous heat loads of planetary entry. The expected outcome and benefit will be development of a new technology to reduce spacecraft heating, leading to safer, more efficient, and potentially reusable spacecraft.
There are four PhD topics planned as part of this Discovery Project:
- MHD drag measurement (experimental)
- MHD surface heat flux and shock layer characterisation (experimental)
- Zeeman effect on radiating hypersonic flows (experimental/numerical)
- CFD modelling of MHD flows (numerical)
This project is an international collaboration between Australia and Japan to advance MHD aerobraking technology. The experiments will be performed on UQ's X2 and X3 free-piston driven expansion tubes, as well as Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's HEK-X facility at Kakuda. This is a great opportunity for the successful student to develop expertise in: spacecraft ground testing using the world's fastest aerodynamic test facilities; state-of-the-art diagnostic and numerical techniques; and to play a role in developing a potentially ground-breaking future spacecraft heat mitigation technology.
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Effect of Magnetic Field Deflection on Magnetohydrodynamic Heat Shield
Four projects are available:
- Magnetic field deflection in hypersonic MHD flow: This project aims to experimentally reproduce and characterise the phenomenon of magnetic field deflection in hypersonic ground test experiments.
- Bow shock structure in high magnetic Reynolds number MHD flow: This project aims to isolate and experimentally measure the effect of magnetic field deflection on the shock stand-off and shock shape for hypersonic flow around a blunt body such as sphere or capsule.
- Trajectory optimisation for atmospheric entry with MHD flow control: This project aims to determine the optimum way to use MHD flow control during atmospheric entry.
- Geometry and magnet optimisation for MHD-assisted spacecraft: This project aims to determine how MHD drag can be maximised by optimising forebody contour and electromagnet configuration.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Magnetohydrodynamic flow control for atmospheric entry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Mee, Professor Tim McIntyre
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Doctor Philosophy
Effect of magnetohydrodynamic aerobraking on convective and radiative heat transfer during atmospheric reentry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor David Mee, Professor Tim McIntyre
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Doctor Philosophy
Optimised use of Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Planetary Atmospheric Entry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vincent Wheatley, Associate Professor Rowan Gollan
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Doctor Philosophy
Experimental Investigation of Turbulence Chemistry Interaction in High Enthalpy Flows
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anand Veeraragavan, Dr Chris James
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Magnetohydrodynamic Aerobraking for Earth Re-entry from Deep Space
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Magnetohydrodynamic drag force experiments in expansion tunnels
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Vincent Wheatley, Professor Tim McIntyre
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of an Extended Test Time Operating Mode for a Large Reflected Shock Tunnel Facility
Principal Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Ground Testing at Superorbital Flight Conditions in a Large Scale Expansion Tube
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Morgan
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Free-jet testing of a Mach 12 scramjet in an expansion tube
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Morgan
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Spectral Analysis of Atomic Argon Radiation in an Expanding Hypersonic Flow
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Radiation from Simulated Atmospheric Entry into the Gas Giants
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Tim McIntyre, Professor Richard Morgan
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
SCRAMJET TESTING AT HIGH TOTAL PRESSURE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Richard Morgan
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr David Gildfind directly for media enquiries about:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Expansion tubes
- Experimentation
- Hypersonics
- Reflected Shock Tunnels
- Wind tunnel testing
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