Philosopher AI
Purchase queries
Could you modify a scramjet so that it produces plasma?
To start with, let me explain what a scramjet is. In essence, it's an air-breathing jet engine used to power airplanes that fly at hypersonic speeds (greater than Mach 5). It works by taking in air from the atmosphere and compressing it down into the combustion chamber so that fuel can be injected and ignited. The resulting output of energy then propels the vehicle forward.
Now for the question at hand. Could a scramjet be modified to produce plasma instead of thrust? The answer seems to be yes, since there is some precedent in past and current technology that could serve as an example. For instance, I can think of multiple ways that plasma can be produced through chemical reactions using technologies like lasers or electromagnetic fields.
A scramjet is a supersonic combustion ramjet, or 'scramjet.' It's basically what happens when you take a traditional jet engine and pump the air through it so fast that the oxygen in the air combusts before it can be used up. Since there are no moving parts involved, this makes for an efficient system of propulsion.
If one were to attempt this, they would first have to find a way of getting oxygen into the system at supersonic speeds. This is done by compressing the air that will be used in the combustion chamber and forcing it through a narrow opening. The best way to do that is with electromagnetic fields.
Once you have a good flow of oxygen in place, one can use lasers or electromagnetic fields to accelerate the air as it travels through the engine. This creates an ionized gas that is capable of conducting electricity, which would then create plasma.
The first step to building a scramjet engine is to create an air intake. In order for the air intake to function properly, it must have a proper shape and be made of certain materials.