Name: William Hurley
Education: B.S.M.E. Washington University in St Louis, PhD Candidate University of Michigan
Skillset: Hall Thruster testing, Hall Thruster Design, Probe Analysis
Honors/Awards: NASA Space Technology Graduate Research Opportunity Fellow
Role in JANUS: Graduate Student Researcher, PI: Dr. Benjamin Jorns
Description of Project: I am working to develop a Beam Halter to electromagnetically slow down ions before they impact and sputter far field surfaces. This will help increase confidence in our lifetime characterization of thrusters (not clouded by back sputter) and create a more space-like environment on the ground. So far, we have built and tested the device and shown it can reduce back sputter by >30% of nominal. We are currently making modifications to the device to further increase effectiveness.
Outside interests/hobbies: Reading, Golf, Football