I received my doctorate in aerospace science from the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan in 2008. Before moving to Ann Arbor I received my Bachelors of Science in physics, with a minor in pure mathematics, from the University of Vermont in 2004.

I was a member of the Nonequilibrium Gas and Plasma Dynamics Group at the University of Michigan, where I worked under Professors Iain Boyd and Michael Keidar.

My doctoral research involved modeling the plasma-propellant interaction encountered in Electrothermal Chemical (ETC) Guns using kinetic and MHD theoretical methods in conjunction with computer modeling codes. Using a plasma to ignite a solid propellant leads to reduced ignition delay time, highly repeatable and reliable ignition delay time, and enhanced burn rate, among other advantages. Some related research concepts include the plasma-wall interaction (plasma sheaths), pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) modeling/design, plasma ablation, and plasma initiated combustion.

I have refereed several journal articles for Institute of Physics Publishing pertaining to plasma sheath phenomena and plasma initiated combustion.

Education:

• 2004-2008: PhD: Aerospace Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• 2004-2006: M.Sc.: Aerospace Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• 2000-2004: B.Sc.: Maj. Physics, Min. Mathematics, University of Vermont

Professional Memberships:

• Sigma Pi Sigma (National Physics Honor Society)
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Student Member

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- Publications -

"An End-to-End Model of an Electrothermal Chemical Gun", Andrew J. Porwitzky, PhD Thesis, 2008. 

"On the Mechanism of Energy Transfer in the Plasma-Propellant Interaction", Andrew J. Porwitzky, Michael Keidar, Iain D. Boyd, Journal of Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, vol. 32, no. 5, October 2007.

"Modeling of the Plasma-Propellant Interaction", A. J. Porwitzky, M. Keidar, I. D. Boyd, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 43, no. 1, January 2007.

"Plasma-propellant interactions in electrothermal guns", M. Keidar, A. Porwitzky, and I.D. Boyd, IEEE 29th International Conference on Plasma Science, Traverse City, MI, June 4-8, 2006; (IEEE Conference Record-Abstracts, IEEE Catalog No. 06CH37759, p. 199).

"Modeling of Plasma Induced Ignition and Combustion", Michael Keidar, Iain D. Boyd and Andy Porwitzky, ARO-AFOSR 2006 Contractors' Meeting in Chemical Propulsion. Requests for this document should be directed to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

- Talks -

"Parametric Study of the Capillary Plasma Source for Electrothermal Chemical Guns", Andrew J. Porwitzky, Michael Keidar, and Iain D. Boyd, 14th Electromagnetic Launch Symposium, Victoria, British Columbia, June 10-13, 2008.

"Progress Toward an Electrothermal-Chemical Gun Model", Andrew J. Porwitzky, Michael Keidar, and Iain D. Boyd, 14th Electromagnetic Launch Symposium, Victoria, British Columbia, June 10-13, 2008.

"Chemically Reacting Plasma Jet Expansion Simulation for Application to Electrothermal Chemical Guns", Andrew J. Porwitzky, Leonardo C. Scalabrin, Michael Keidar, and Iain D. Boyd, 38th AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference, Miami, Florida, June 25-28, 2007.

"Modeling of the plasma-propellant interaction", A. J. Porwitzky, M. Keidar, I. D. Boyd, 13th Electromagnetic Launch Symposium, Potsdam, Germany, May 22-25, 2006. (see above for journal publication)

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Email: aporwitz@umich.edu

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