Advancements in Supersonic Combustion: Fundamentals, Applications, and Challenges in Hypersonic Propulsion

Dear Colleagues,

The field of hypersonic propulsion has emerged as a critical area of research and development in aerospace engineering, driven by the pursuit of faster and more efficient flight capabilities. Central to this advancement is the study of supersonic combustion, which involves the interaction of complex fluid dynamics, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamics at extreme velocities. Despite significant progress, the technical challenges associated with sustaining combustion in supersonic flows remain substantial, necessitating continued scientific exploration. These challenges include fuel–air mixing at high speeds, heat management, and materials science innovations to withstand extreme temperatures. Given the high stakes involved in hypersonic technology, including its implications for defense, space exploration, and high-speed transportation, this research area has garnered international attention and investment. This Special Issue seeks to provide a platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge research, reviews, and perspectives on the fundamentals, applications, and challenges of supersonic combustion, with a particular focus on its role in hypersonic propulsion.

The aim of this Special Issue is to advance the scientific understanding and technological development of supersonic combustion processes, with an emphasis on their applications in hypersonic propulsion. While the journal Fire traditionally focuses on the science, policy, and technology of fires in natural and built environments, this Special Issue seeks to expand the scope by exploring the intersection of fire science and propulsion systems. The journal’s mission to serve as an international forum for diverse scientific and practical knowledge aligns with the multidisciplinary nature of this topic. By addressing the challenges and opportunities in supersonic combustion, this Special Issue will contribute to the broader discussion of fire dynamics, heat transfer, and combustion processes, which are central to Fire's scope. Furthermore, this Special Issue will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex technical challenges, fostering collaboration between researchers in aerospace engineering, combustion science, and materials science.

This Special Issue invites submissions that address the following themes and topics:

1. Fundamentals of Supersonic Combustion:
   Theoretical and experimental studies of fuel–air mixing and combustion in supersonic flows.
   Chemical kinetics and thermodynamic modeling of high-speed combustion processes.
   Numerical simulations, machine learning, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches for studying supersonic combustion.

2. Applications in Hypersonic Propulsion:
   Design and optimization of scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) engines.
   Case studies of hypersonic vehicle propulsion systems.
   Innovations in materials and thermal management for hypersonic applications.

3. Challenges and Innovations:
   Experimental and analytical techniques for diagnosing supersonic combustion phenomena.
   Advanced fuels and propulsion systems for hypersonic vehicles.
   Challenges in scaling up supersonic combustion systems for practical applications.

4. Interdisciplinary Approaches:
   Integration of fire science and combustion dynamics in aerospace engineering.
   Policy and societal implications of hypersonic technology.
   Cross-cutting research linking supersonic combustion to other fire-related disciplines.

Prof. Dr. Ye Tian
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fire is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• supersonic combustion
• hypersonic propulsion
• scramjet engines
• high-speed aerodynamics
• combustion dynamics
• aerospace engineering
• thermal management
• advanced propulsion systems
• supersonic fluid dynamics
• hypersonic vehicle design