3/11/2025 Debra Levey Larson
Written by Debra Levey Larson
Davut Vatansever’s research article is included in Physics of Plasmas’ 2024 Early Career Collection, which was announced this week. His is one of 31 top papers from authors the journal calls “the generation of plasma physicists.”
Vatansever is one of Deborah Levin’s Ph.D. students in the Department of Aerospace Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The article, “Numerical investigations of spatiotemporal dynamics of space-charge limited collisional sheaths” by Davut Vatansever, Nakul Nuwal and Deborah Levin was published in September 2024. It is part of the Kinetic simulations of ETC in a hypersonic plasma sheath project which was supported by the Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Vatansever provided a brief explanation about the research.
Plasmas can be subject to various types of instabilities, leading to fascinating and sometimes unpredictable behavior, especially where they meet a surface. At these boundaries, fast-moving electrons may generate strong fluctuations, while slower-moving ions accumulate over time, leading to lower-frequency pulses that appear as sudden spikes. These two unique dynamics can occur independently or interact in complex ways, depending on the plasma conditions. Their interplay influences how plasma behaves in various applications, from plasma reactors to space propulsion, making it a vital area of research for advancing technology.
Vatansever earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Yildiz Technical University and his master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from Istanbul Technical University.