Course instructor will be Prof. Guillermo Paniagua and Prof. Kasahara (Nagoya University) hosted in collaboration with Nagoya University.
The course is open to all levels of Engineering including FYE and Graduate students! Coursework will be based on your level.
This May 2027 course introduces Purdue undergraduate and graduate students to rotating detonation technologies, with emphasis on propulsion applications, experimental testing, diagnostics, and the development of small-scale rotating detonation systems. Hosted in collaboration with Nagoya University, the course exposes students to Japan's advanced research ecosystem in aerospace propulsion, high-speed combustion, manufacturing, and technology development.
Rotating detonation combustors are an emerging class of pressure-gain combustion devices with potential applications in rockets, gas turbines, and future high-efficiency propulsion systems. Through lectures, hands-on activities, technical visits, and team-based projects, students learn the fundamentals of detonation-based propulsion, an introduction to turbomachinery and the operation of turbines for rotating detonation engines, the operating principles of rotating detonation combustors, and the main challenges of integration, testing, diagnostics, and performance evaluation.
Topics Covered
The course combines classroom instruction with practical exposure to experimental methods, including an introduction to turbomachinery and dedicated training on turbines for rotating detonation engines. Topics include:
- Introduction to turbomachinery
- Detonation physics and detonation combustion-based propulsion
- Rotating detonation combustor operation and pressure-gain combustion
- Turbines for rotating detonation engines — hands-on training and propulsion-system integration
- Micro rotating detonation units
- Instrumentation and high-speed pressure and optical diagnostics
- Safety considerations, and simplified design and modeling tools
Proposed itinerary: Subject to change due to availability
May 14 & 15- Depart the USA (students need to arrive on the 16th)
May 16-Arrive in Nagoya, day to rest, welcome dinner
May 17-Morning class, Nagoya tour, free evening
May 18-Class at the university, free evening
May 19-Class at Nagoya, afternoon excursion to Nagoya Castle
May 20-Class at Nagoya, free evening
May 21-Morning class, afternoon Toyota Museum tour
May 22-23-Free days. May arrange some optional day trips to Kyoto or Osaka
May 24-Morning class, free evening
May 25-26 Full days of local business visits and activities (TBD)
May 27-Class at Nagoya, free evening
May 28-Class at Nagoya, free evening
May 29-Shirakwa-Go Village Walking tour, SC Maglev and Railway Park, Farewell dinner
May 30-Students free to leave any time