Kinetics of hypersonic ICE object nucleation and erosion (KHIONE)

The Air Force Research Laboratory awarded $604,000 to The University of Kentucky Research Foundation under the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program (CFDA 12.800) on October 15, 2025, for the project titled "Kinetics of Hypersonic Ice Object Nucleation and Erosion (KHIONE)." The project, scheduled for completion by October 14, 2028, investigates the fundamental physics governing how ice crystals respond to hypersonic shock waves and their effects on aerodynamic performance. This research supports the Department of the Air Force's mission to maintain technological superiority by advancing scientific understanding in aerospace systems and materials science through competitive, peer-reviewed research conducted at accredited educational institutions.

The University of Kentucky Research Foundation executed this research through collaborations with three sub-awardees: the University of North Dakota (awarded November 17, 2025) will produce laboratory-grown ice crystals under controlled conditions and observe their behavior using custom experimental equipment and atmospheric levitation techniques; Purdue University (awarded November 6, 2025) will conduct shock tube experiments to measure ice crystal interactions with shockwaves, with approximately 500 total experiments planned across the three-year performance period to characterize aerodynamic influences; and the University of Minnesota (awarded November 6, 2025) will provide scientific advisory support through approximately three weeks of annual effort on research guidance, technical publications, and collaborative team engagement. Collectively, these contributions generate experimental data and theoretical insights applicable to hypersonic vehicle design and performance prediction.