Purdue University

Professor of Aerospace Engineering

Steven worked at Purdue University as a Professor of Aerospace Engineering

SARG, the Sub-orbital Applications Researchers Group of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation

Chair

Lead this small group of researchers from diverse science disciplines in advocacy and market-development efforts to exploit the scientific and educational uses of the emerging commercial sub-orbital rocket industry in the US.

Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Associate Head for Engagement

Aid the school in faculty, staff, and alumni award programs, increase publicity of colleagues' excellence in research and teaching, and expand interactions with our exciting young alums.

Center for the Advancement of Science in Space - CASIS

Inaugural Member, Science and Technology Advisory Panel

Advise on science and technology topics for the US National Laboratory on the International Space Station.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

Capillary Stability in a Tilted Circular Cylinder

Microgravity Science and Technology

The classical capillary stability problem in a vertical circular cylinder is a special case of the more general problem of the stability of liquid above a capillary surface in a circular cylinder with arbitrary orientation of gravity. This problem can, of course, also be viewed as arbitrary cylinder orientation in a steadily accelerating spacecraft. The general (tilted) circular cylinder capillary stability problem is solved numerically by use of the Surface Evolver code for general tilt and general contact angle. Tens of thousands of combinations of contact angle, tilt angle, and Bond number are solved for with a global volunteer computing network running Surface Evolver. The results appear to be symmetric about 90 degree contact angle, as in the previous vertical cylinder studies, and not symmetric about 45 degree tilt.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

Capillary Stability in a Tilted Circular Cylinder

Microgravity Science and Technology

The classical capillary stability problem in a vertical circular cylinder is a special case of the more general problem of the stability of liquid above a capillary surface in a circular cylinder with arbitrary orientation of gravity. This problem can, of course, also be viewed as arbitrary cylinder orientation in a steadily accelerating spacecraft. The general (tilted) circular cylinder capillary stability problem is solved numerically by use of the Surface Evolver code for general tilt and general contact angle. Tens of thousands of combinations of contact angle, tilt angle, and Bond number are solved for with a global volunteer computing network running Surface Evolver. The results appear to be symmetric about 90 degree contact angle, as in the previous vertical cylinder studies, and not symmetric about 45 degree tilt.

"Mass Center Anomalies from Asymmetric Propellant Positions in Spacecraft

44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

Capillary Stability in a Tilted Circular Cylinder

Microgravity Science and Technology

The classical capillary stability problem in a vertical circular cylinder is a special case of the more general problem of the stability of liquid above a capillary surface in a circular cylinder with arbitrary orientation of gravity. This problem can, of course, also be viewed as arbitrary cylinder orientation in a steadily accelerating spacecraft. The general (tilted) circular cylinder capillary stability problem is solved numerically by use of the Surface Evolver code for general tilt and general contact angle. Tens of thousands of combinations of contact angle, tilt angle, and Bond number are solved for with a global volunteer computing network running Surface Evolver. The results appear to be symmetric about 90 degree contact angle, as in the previous vertical cylinder studies, and not symmetric about 45 degree tilt.

"Mass Center Anomalies from Asymmetric Propellant Positions in Spacecraft

44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, 7th Edition

Elsevier

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, Seventh Edition, is one of the world’s leading course texts on aerodynamics. It provides concise explanations of basic concepts, combined with an excellent introduction to aerodynamic theory. This updated edition has been revised with improved pedagogy and reorganized content to facilitate student learning, and includes new or expanded coverage in several important areas.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

Capillary Stability in a Tilted Circular Cylinder

Microgravity Science and Technology

The classical capillary stability problem in a vertical circular cylinder is a special case of the more general problem of the stability of liquid above a capillary surface in a circular cylinder with arbitrary orientation of gravity. This problem can, of course, also be viewed as arbitrary cylinder orientation in a steadily accelerating spacecraft. The general (tilted) circular cylinder capillary stability problem is solved numerically by use of the Surface Evolver code for general tilt and general contact angle. Tens of thousands of combinations of contact angle, tilt angle, and Bond number are solved for with a global volunteer computing network running Surface Evolver. The results appear to be symmetric about 90 degree contact angle, as in the previous vertical cylinder studies, and not symmetric about 45 degree tilt.

"Mass Center Anomalies from Asymmetric Propellant Positions in Spacecraft

44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, 7th Edition

Elsevier

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, Seventh Edition, is one of the world’s leading course texts on aerodynamics. It provides concise explanations of basic concepts, combined with an excellent introduction to aerodynamic theory. This updated edition has been revised with improved pedagogy and reorganized content to facilitate student learning, and includes new or expanded coverage in several important areas.

Zero-Gravity Stability Solutions of Droplets in a Bent Circular Cylinder

AIAA ASME Conference

Stability and shapes of droplets or bubbles in tubing are of interest in a number of different fields. Helium bubbles in hydrazine fuel lines and liquid droplets in pulmonary airways are two such instances. Both problems are examples of one phase obstructing the other and the problems differ only by contact angle. Recent research has mapped annular, plug, and wall-bound droplet topologies in a straight tube versus volume for all contact angles. The current study uses the Surface Evolver code to compute solutions of four possible topologies in a bent circular cylinder. From these solutions, regions of existence and of stability (minimum-energy states) are determined. The effects of curvature on the straight tube solutions are sought.

“A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help”

Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress

G. Hanuschak, S. Collicott, D. Maclise, and M. Skidmore, “A top-level summary of microgravity research which would benefit from commercial reusable suborbital platforms and what the NASA Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research (CRuSR) Program is doing to help.” Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, 2010.

Scavenge Flow in a Bearing Chamber With Tangential Sump Off-Take

J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power

Occlusion criteria in tubes under transverse body forces

Journal of Fluid Mechanics

When a fluid in a tube is occluded, one finds a static configuration in which the occluding free surface of the fluid is an equilibrium capillary surface spanning the tube. We extend known criteria for existence and non-existence of such a surface, leading to an explicit mathematically rigorous occlusion criterion for cylindrical tubes in a transverse body force field, depending on the force magnitude and contact angle. For any contact angle not equal to 90 degrees, we provide further an explicit design of a tube section, which will not occlude in a downward gravity field, regardless of the field strength. In addition, we derive a precise analytic occlusion criterion for liquid partially filling a circular vessel spinning about its axis.

Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance

AIAA Journal

Steven H. Collicott. "Computing the Effects of Practical Tolerances on Propellant Management Device Performance". AIAA Journal, (2014). doi: 10.2514/1.J052945

Capillary Stability in a Tilted Circular Cylinder

Microgravity Science and Technology

The classical capillary stability problem in a vertical circular cylinder is a special case of the more general problem of the stability of liquid above a capillary surface in a circular cylinder with arbitrary orientation of gravity. This problem can, of course, also be viewed as arbitrary cylinder orientation in a steadily accelerating spacecraft. The general (tilted) circular cylinder capillary stability problem is solved numerically by use of the Surface Evolver code for general tilt and general contact angle. Tens of thousands of combinations of contact angle, tilt angle, and Bond number are solved for with a global volunteer computing network running Surface Evolver. The results appear to be symmetric about 90 degree contact angle, as in the previous vertical cylinder studies, and not symmetric about 45 degree tilt.

"Mass Center Anomalies from Asymmetric Propellant Positions in Spacecraft

44th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, 7th Edition

Elsevier

Aerodynamics for Engineering Students, Seventh Edition, is one of the world’s leading course texts on aerodynamics. It provides concise explanations of basic concepts, combined with an excellent introduction to aerodynamic theory. This updated edition has been revised with improved pedagogy and reorganized content to facilitate student learning, and includes new or expanded coverage in several important areas.

Zero-Gravity Stability Solutions of Droplets in a Bent Circular Cylinder

AIAA ASME Conference

Stability and shapes of droplets or bubbles in tubing are of interest in a number of different fields. Helium bubbles in hydrazine fuel lines and liquid droplets in pulmonary airways are two such instances. Both problems are examples of one phase obstructing the other and the problems differ only by contact angle. Recent research has mapped annular, plug, and wall-bound droplet topologies in a straight tube versus volume for all contact angles. The current study uses the Surface Evolver code to compute solutions of four possible topologies in a bent circular cylinder. From these solutions, regions of existence and of stability (minimum-energy states) are determined. The effects of curvature on the straight tube solutions are sought.

Liquid Waste Control in Micro-G: Designing a Capillary-Wicking Liner for the Specimen Chamber of the Advanced Animal Habitat (AAH

SAE 2005 Technical Papers

SAE Paper No. 2005-01-2785