9509760 McGreevy This work is supported by a Research Planning Grant for Women Scientists and Engineers Award. The project will involve conducting a preliminary investigation and setting the ground work for a full nonlinear study of flame propagation in a closed tube. The nonlinear stability analysis will be carried out by investigating, via asymptotic analysis, bifurcation theory, multiple time scales, and numerical analysis, the evolution of finite amplitude disturbances superimposed on an otherwise smooth planar flame. The goal of the project will be to identify the roles of hydrodynamic and diffusional- thermal processes and the role of the mixture composition on the stability properties and complex spatial and temporal dynamics of the process. The first part of the study will concentrate on the stage of the combustion process prior to when acoustic disturbances become significant, as manifested by a rapid acceleration of the flame, shock wave formation ahead of the flame, and transition from laminar to turbulent gas flow. The second part of the study will involve examining the fully coupled fluid/acoustic transition process. The National Science Foundation's mandate to ensure the vitality of the Nation's scientific enterprise includes concern for the quality, composition, distribution and effectiveness of the human resource base in science and engineering. Within this context, the Foundation is committed to enhancing the current rate of participation of women in science and engineering careers, in general, and as active participants in all of its programs. Research Plannine Grant awards are made: (1) to help increase the number of new women investigators participating in NSF's research programs; and, (2) to facilitate preliminary studies and other activities related to the development of competitive research projects and proposals by women who have not previously had independent Federal research funding. Research Planning Grants are one-time awards that may be used for preliminary work to determine the feasibility of a proposed line of inquiry, and/or for other activities that will facilitate proposal development.
