Acoustic levitation at sub-atmospheric pressures and reduced temperatures: An approach to study ice crystal and hypersonic shockwave interaction

Authors

• Imteaz Osmani
• David J. Delene, University of North DakotaFollow
• Hallie Boyer Chelmo, University of North DakotaFollow

Files

Description

Micrometer-sized atmospheric ice crystals are commonly observed in high-altitude clouds. Inside clouds, they attach in different orientations, producing varied geometries, yet their formation mechanisms remain poorly understood. Their behavior under shock wave conditions remains underexplored due to lack of laboratory techniques capable of producing atmospherically realistic ice in controlled conditions. No experimental data and laboratory techniques exist to date on the interaction between atmospheric ice crystal aggregates and hypersonic shockwaves. To explore realistic atmospheric ice crystals’ thermodynamic and mechanical changes in hypersonic environments, we investigate the formation and behavior of ice crystal aggregates using acoustic levitation that avoids physical contact and better replicates freezing processes in clouds.

Publication Date

3-5-2026

Document Type

Poster

City

Grand Forks, ND

Keywords

Ice crystal, Aggregates, Hypersonic, Acoustic, Levitator, TinyLev, Interaction

Disciplines

Mechanical Engineering

Comments

Presented at the 2026 UND Graduate Research Achievement Day.

Recommended Citation

Osmani, Imteaz; Delene, David J.; and Chelmo, Hallie Boyer, "Acoustic levitation at sub-atmospheric pressures and reduced temperatures: An approach to study ice crystal and hypersonic shockwave interaction" (2026). Graduate Research Achievement Day Posters. 16.
https://commons.und.edu/grad-posters/16