Funded by FTPP, Dr. Volkov’s team investigates new materials processing techniques
Development of new materials processing techniques using lasers and the energized gases known as plasmas intrigues Dr. Alexey Volkov, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama (UA) for 11 years and a Future Technologies & enabling Plasma Processes (FTPP) lead researcher.
“My interest in plasma physics was induced by my involvement in the studies of laser-material interaction and materials processing with continuous wave and pulsed lasers,” says Dr. Volkov.
From Saint Petersburg, Russia, Dr. Volkov earned a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from Baltic State Technical University in 1993, a master’s in applied mathematics from Saint Petersburg State University in 1995 and a doctorate in fluid mechanics from Saint Petersburg State University in 1996.
“Understanding plasma-radiation interaction is important for multiple technological applications, from laser drilling and welding to laser powder-bed fusion additive manufacturing,” says Dr. Volkov, whose team counts FTPP as the major source of funding for their research in plasma physics and engineering.
computational modeling
“Under the FTPP umbrella, my Computational Mechanics Group (CMG) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UA works on the development of an advanced computational model for predicting the interaction of laser radiation with multi-phase ablation plumes and for interactions of plasma with liquid metals,” he says.
“They use the particle-based computational methods such as Direct Simulation Monte Carlo and Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics for both directions of our research.”
The research drives the intellectual development of a plasma-proficient workforce in Alabama, he says.
“I believe that my efforts can contribute to the strength of the educational programs in mechanical and aerospace engineering at UA. This will help us to prepare top-notch engineers and researchers.”
Three of his students are supported by the FTPP project.
“As a part of efforts in this project, I also prepared and taught a new course on non-equilibrium gas dynamics which is offered to graduate students in the UA College of Engineering,” says Dr. Volkov. “I also plan to prepare and teach another course on plasma engineering in one or two years.”
There are added benefits to the FTPP collaboration besides funding, he says.
“I am very glad to participate in the FTPP project. It allows me not only to support my Ph.D. students but also to communicate and collaborate with leading experts in plasma physics.”