Cesar
As an engineer, is there ever an invention or creation that is too big to dream of, and if not then how do you get started on the intimidating journey towards the end goal?
Hello, I am a senior in high school aspiring to become an aerospace engineer in the future, in hopes of changing the world for the better through an engineering background. A dream like this requires some sort of plan and instead of waiting to be in college with all the fancy laboratories and equipment I decided I can start my own research and development towards my goal of improving the aerospace industry right now. I ask myself big questions, sometimes questions that seem almost impossible to answer, but one question has had me hooked for awhile, how can we make jet propulsion not run on chemicals and fuels but instead with electricity? My best brainstorm is that the combustion chamber is switched with an ionization process that can accelerate the incoming air and also shoot electromagnetic waves at the incoming air in the combustion chamber to heat it up the air. Thus this process heats and accelerates the air, just like your average combustion chamber. As crazy as it sounds this idea has been an obsession of mine and I am convinced I can create it, now whether or not it will actually work is still unknown to me, but research is all about trial and error. However my friends, my parents, and sometimes myself think I am in over my head for wanting to build something that seems like something from Star Trek but my question is, is it alright to dream big like this? Is there a limit to what an 18 year old can actually build? And if there is no limit then where do I start? Not technically where do I start, but how does the engineering process work? What is usually the first step that an engineer takes when they have a eureka moment and decide to build something? The likelihood of this plasma jet engine working seems very small, but any chance at success seems worth it and I'd love it if I can get any help from real engineers on how to start or even if to start.
Thank you! #engineering #aerospace-engineering
4 answers
Taylor Zhao
Taylor’s Answer
Great idea and I love your ambition! We need more engineers like you that think large and want to achieve the impossible. Now for how to get starting, look into what research is in this area. Is there a lab that is already doing this kind of thing? Why are people using fuels today and haven't switched to cleaner or more efficient tech? All these questions have answers or reasons why engineers do the things they do.
To pursue your idea will require a research lab. High school students can definitely get involved in research for college professors (I did when I was in high school). If you can't find anything close to what you want to do nearby, try going after experiments you can do on a smaller scale at a lower cost. Is there anything you can just create with basic materials you get at the super market? Good luck with your idea. I wish you the best :)
Leo Reyes
Leo’s Answer
However, the specific thing you're talking about is probably a good idea and, in fact, I think this sort of propulsion (or similar) has already been invented and is used in real space missions. Look up "Ion Thrusters". Their main drawback is that they only work in the vacuum of space. But who knows? You might be the one who finds how to make them work in the atmosphere.
Also worth noting: by the end of the nineteenth century everyone knew that heavier-than-air flight (i.e. flying something other than a hot-air filled balloon) was impossible. There were even some mathematicians that "proved" it wouldn't work. They were so wrong.
How to start this journey? Find a small step you can take towards your goal soon, like learning physics, then keep taking small steps in the right direction. Also, at some point you'll have to find where you can study a career in the aerospace industry.
Leo recommends the following next steps:
Muhammad Shao
Muhammad’s Answer
Some of the things you have to think through are:
- Is this theoretically possible? Support the theory by collecting credible research (not just online articles, but actual science publications). You have to become an expert in the subject, specially if you are pursuing something on the edges of science (ground breaking).
- Are there aspects you are introducing in the theory/design that haven't been researched yet? OR aren't known to their full extent?
- Design the idea on paper. Think through all the different components needed. Are these available on the market? Will they be custom built? What is the associated cost? What are the energy requirements...you have to size out the components on paper & prove that it's a credible design.
- Now this is where the business aspect is important. Most of the time, developing an idea like yours requires a lot of capital. Usually companies will only invest in such an idea at production scale, if they have proven that it will work on paper. Also, if they can justify the cost vs. the return that the idea will provide. E.g. the reason you don't see a lot of electric aerospace development, is because jet fuel is very cheap (comparatively) & can haul a lot of cargo (energy dense). We still need a lot of research and development (specially on the battery front - making them lighter weight/energy dense) to make it worthwhile in aerospace.
All this to say that first step is definitely research. You have to read and immerse yourself in all the research that exists surrounding this topic. Understand if there are any aspects that haven't been researched yet. This would involve pursuing an engineer/physics degree and pursuing a PhD in aerospace (targeting your specific interest).
After this point, when you have learned everything that there is to learn regarding your idea. Then you can begin designing the idea on paper. This may require someone to invest in your idea. Aerospace requires a lot of expensive equipment (wind tunnels) & software (Computational fluid dynamics). So, one way is to see if a company/college is already doing this research/design and join them. Otherwise apply for your own grants through the university. OR start your own company, where you make a business case to investors and get them to put money towards your idea.
It's not impossible.....it will just take a lot of time, work, dedication & people who are willing to invest in you/your idea to make it a reality.
Hope all this helps! Good luck
Mickael Rosenberg
Mickael’s Answer
As crazy as it sounds this idea has been an obsession of mine and I am convinced I can create it, now whether or not it will actually work is still unknown to me, but research is all about trial and error. However my friends, my parents, and sometimes myself think I am in over my head for wanting to build something that seems like something from Star Trek
{quote}
Hi Cesar,
I believe all great improvements in the world started with crazy ideas. Then you refine it and you find something that is feasible, or at least make a first step toward it. Humanity did not build rockets immediately. They did it pieces by pieces from learning how to make fire, to build engines, to make places, to make high speed train to finally get into something that goes in space (and I did skip some steps ...).
If you think this is something you can do, as Taylor said, start by looking at what scientists have already found. See if this is applicable. Then, simply try to think about some next step. No body builds a stone wall in one piece. You build it by building bricks and cement. Same with your idea: what is the first thing to do?
{quote}
My best brainstorm is that the combustion chamber is switched with an ionization process that can accelerate the incoming air and also shoot electromagnetic waves at the incoming air in the combustion chamber to heat it up the air. Thus this process heats and accelerates the air, just like your average combustion chamber.
{quote}
So starting with this: can you build a small prototype of something ionizing air and see how it works? From that, you may build a small container and see if the air is hot enough and how hard it pushes, and then build on top of that.
I am not an aerospace engineer but all problems that big are usually solved the same way: start simple, start easy. If you look at the mountain in front of you, you may get discouraged. But if you look at the small part of the wall, then it's easier, keeping in mind you will have more simple steps like this to reach your goal.
First understand what others have already found, then build on top of it. A small step. Then build on top of this step and so on.
I sincerely hope it helps.