Mr Eduardo Trifoni
Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering
Director of the National Space Test Facility
ANU College of Science
T:
+61 2 6197 0151
Areas of expertise
- Satellite, Space Vehicle And Missile Design And Testing 090108
- Hypersonic Propulsion And Hypersonic Aerodynamics 090107
- Astronomical And Space Instrumentation 020102
- Plasma Physics; Fusion Plasmas; Electrical Discharges 020204
- Energy Generation, Conversion And Storage Engineering 091305
Biography
Eduardo Trifoni is the Director of the National Space Test Facility, the largest space testing infrastructure in Australasia.
He is Senior Space Test Scientist at the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, member of the Advanced Instrumentation & Technology Centre and InSpace Mission Specialist. At the College of Engineering, Computing and Cybernetics he supervises honours projects and has convened and taught "Engineering Thermodynamics".
Eduardo got his Master’s Degree summa cum laude in Mechanical Engineering in 1999 and joined ANU in 2019. He has over 20 years of experience carrying out independent research in technology frontier fields from Experimental Aerothermodynamics to Hydrogen Energy, with major breakthroughs in hypersonic ground testing, PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers design and development, a track record of more than 90 publications and 4 international patents granted.
He dealt with the management, engineering, operations and maintenance of SCIROCCO 70 MW Plasma Wind Tunnel (PWT), the world's largest and most powerful space test facility for the simulation of the hypersonic entry phase of space vehicles. He has seen things you wouldn't believe. Thermal Protection Systems on fire at atmospheric pressure and snowfalls under vacuum. He has watched shockwaves glitter in the dark near the diffuser throat and meteorites melt at entry conditions.
Eduardo has been instrumental in the experimental development of many space vehicles capable of operating in Low Earth Orbit and withstanding the hypersonic entry phase, including thirteen spacecraft successfully sent into orbit in the last four years.
Working in hypersonics, he started to rethink the distances on our planet and no place seems too far away. He likes the sky, the water and the wildlife and he is a sincere advocate of an open society.
Current student projects
- David Lafferty, Mission analysis of an intercontinental space flight from the US to Australia
- Olivia Arvanitis, Designing a hydrogen energy system as back-up power for telecommunication towers
- Byron Muir, Design of an experimental setup for measuring thermal conductivity in vacuum
Past student projects
- Hayden Broomby, Design and development of an additively manufactured liquid rocket engine pintle injector system
- Rowan Schulz, Thermal analysis, management and testing of small satellites circuit boards
- Luan Dinh, Aerothermal analysis of a space rocket during hypersonic ascent phase
- Matthew Robertson, Design and development of a bio-fueled additively manufactured rocket engine
Publications
- Jayalath, S, Herath, M, Epaarachchi, J et al. 2023, 'Durability and long-term behaviour of shape memory polymers and composites for the space industry - A review of current status and future perspectives', Polymer Degradation and Stability, vol. 211, pp. 1-25.
- Robertson, M, Trifoni, E & Lipinski, W 2021, 'Towards the development of a bio-fueled additively manufactured rocket engine', AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2021 Forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), USA, pp. 1-10.
- Ashby, J, Trifoni, E, Mathew, J et al. 2021, 'Protecting dielectric elastomers from the space environment with ultra high SPF sunscreen', SPIE Smart Structures + Nondestructive Evaluation, ed. Iain A. Anderson, Herbert R. Shea, John D. W. Madden, SPIE - The Internatonal Society for Optics and Photonics, Virtual.
- Cinquegrana, D, Votta, R, Purpura, C et al. 2019, 'Continuum breakdown and surface catalysis effects in NASA arc jet testing at SCIROCCO', Aerospace Science and Technology, vol. 88, pp. 258-272.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, D'Auria, F et al. 2019, 'CFD Rebuilding of Cold Hypersonic Flow in GHIBLI facility', Journal of Aerospace Science, Technologies & Systems , vol. 97, pp. 177-182.
- Agostinelli, P, Trifoni, E & Savino, R 2019, 'Aerothermodynamic analyses and redesign of GHIBLI Plasma Wind Tunnel hypersonic diffuser', Aerospace Science and Technology, vol. 87, pp. 218-229.
- Purpura, C & Trifoni, E 2019, 'Experimental Methods for Spectral Emissivity Evaluation of Space Re-Entry Vehicle Materials', in Aidan Millington (ed.), Emissivity: Characteristics, Determination and Applications, Nova Science Publishers Inc., New York, pp. 63-102.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Petrella, O et al. 2019, 'Gardon gauge heat flux sensor verification by new working facility', Measurement, vol. 134, pp. 245-252.
- Fedele, A, Gardi, R, Vernillo, P et al. 2019, 'Mini Irene Project: Ground Demonstrator Plasma Wind Tunnel Testing', 70th International Astronautical Congress, IAC 2019, International Astronautical Federation (IAF), United States, pp. 1-11.
- Capra, B, Moran, J, Brown, M et al. 2019, 'Aerothermal Analysis of 3D Concave Cone in Hypersonic Flow in SCIROCCO', 32nd International Symposium on Shock Waves, Research Publishing Services, Singapore, pp. 1443-1455.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, K�temeyer, M et al. 2019, 'Spectral Emissivity of UHTC Coatings for Super Light-weight Thermal Protection Systems of Space Re-entry Vehicles', 8th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases for Space Missions, Campus Puerta de Toledo of the Universidad Carlos III, Madrid, Spain, Madrid, pp. 18-26.
- Pratesi, G, Gardiol, D, Cellino, A et al. 2018, 'PRISMA and GHIBLI: from meteors monitoring to simulation of entering the atmosphere', Congresso SGI-SIMP 2018, Societa Geologica Italiana, Italy, pp. 1-25.
- Cinquegrana, D, Votta, R & Trifoni, E 2018, 'DSMC simulations for assessment of Rarefaction Effects during NASA tests at SCIROCCO', 31st International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics, (RGD31), 2018, ed. Yonghao Zhang, David R. Emerson, Duncan Lockerby, and Lei Wu, AIP Publishing LLC, United States, p. 1.
- Carney, C, King, D, Fumo, M et al. 2018, 'Oxidation response of a SiCf/SiC CMC with a HfB2-based coating in an arc jet test', Advances in Applied Ceramics, vol. 117, no. S1, pp. S19ââ¬âS25.
- Masutti, D, Trifoni, E, Umit, E et al. 2018, 'QARMAN re-entry CubeSat: Preliminary Results of SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel Testing', CNES/ESA Small Satellite, Systems & Services Symposium (4S) 2018, Self published, Virtual, pp. 1-18.
- Pratesi, G, Trifoni, E, Martucci, A et al. 2018, 'Investigation of simulated meteoroids entry in the Earth atmosphere by emission spectroscopy', XIV Congresso Nazionale di Scienze Planetarie, Universita degli Studi di Firenze, Firenze.
- Trifoni, E, Masutti, D, Schettino, A et al. 2018, 'Preliminary experimental results of QARMAN reentry CubeSat test in SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel', ATD3 Working Group, 4th International Space Debris Re-entry Workshop , ed. S. Lemmens, B. Bastida Virgili, European Space Agency, Italy, pp. 1-17.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, D'Auria, F et al. 2017, 'Numerical Rebuilding of Low Enthalpy Hypersonic Flow in the GHIBLI Plasma Wind Tunnel', Italian Association of Aeronautics and Astronautics XXIV International Conference, Associazone Italiana Di Aeronautica E Astronautica, Palermo, Italy, pp. 1-8.
- Trifoni, E, Ceglia, G, Martucci, A et al. 2017, 'Design of a Jet Interaction Ground Experiment in Mars Entry Conditions', 14th International Planetary Probe Workshop, European Space Agency, The Hague, Netherlands.
- Chazot, O, Sakraker, I, Turchi, A et al. 2017, 'Ground Testing of QARMAN ReenSat in SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel under flight relevant conditions', 14th International Planetary Probe Workshop, European Space Agency, The Hague, Netherlands.
- Mareschi, V, Ferri, A, Buffa, G et al. 2017, 'Preliminary Design and Performance Verification of a Guided Entry Thruster System for Precision Landing on Mars', 7TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR AERONAUTICS AND SPACE SCIENCES, EDP Sciences, Belgium, pp. 1-15.
- Cinquegrana, D, Votta, R & Trifoni, E 2017, 'Rarefaction effects in NASA arc jet testing at SCIROCCO facility', 47th AIAA Thermophysics Conference, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-11.
- Votta, R, Trifoni, E, Pezzella, G et al. 2017, 'Numerical Investigation of RCS Jet Interaction and Plume Impingement for Mars Precision Landing', 8th AIAA Theoretical Fluid Mechanics Conference 2017, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-21.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Martucci, A et al. 2017, 'Experimental Investigation of the Emissivity of UHTC Coatings on CMC Materials in GHIBLI Plasma Wind Tunnel Tests', 68th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2017), Curran Associates, Inc., Red Hook, NY, pp. 1-10.
- Carney, C, Purpura, C, Trifoni, E et al. 2017, 'Processing and evaluation of UHTC loaded composites', Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics: Materials for Extreme Environment Applications IV, ed. Jon Binner, Bill Lee, Engineering Conferences International, UK.
- Trifoni, E, Striano, V & Latini, V 2016, 'SCIROCCO Arc-Jet Test of Fiber Optic Sensors Integrated in a Sharp Hot Structure', 8th European Workshop on Thermal Protection Systems and Hot Structures, European Space Agency, Virtual.
- Koch, U, Esser, B, Guelhan, A et al. 2016, 'Flat Plate Tests of ESA IXV TPS Interfaces in L3K', 8th European Workshop on Thermal Protection Systems and Hot Structures, European Space Agency, Virtual, pp. 1-10.
- Trifoni, E 2016, 'MHD Flow Control Experiments performed at CIRA', Summer School on MHD for Space Applications, ed. Augusto Montisci, PAMIR Centre, Italy, pp. 1-27.
- Trifoni, E & Battista, F 2016, 'Numerical Rebuilding of MHD Experiments in SCIROCCO Hypersonic Facility', 10th PAMIR International Conference Fundamental and Applied MHD, The European MagnetoHydroDynamics Society, Virtual, pp. 1-7.
- Trifoni, E, Savino, R, Esposito, A et al. 2016, 'Plasma Jet Impingement Tests of ESA IXV TPS Interfaces', 8th European Workshop on Thermal Protection Systems and Hot Structures, European Space Agency, Virtual.
- Pezzella, G & Trifoni, E 2016, 'Aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic analysis of high-speed earth re-entry capsule', International Journal of Aerodynamics, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 34-68.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Petrella, O et al. 2016, 'Calibration of Gardon Gage Heat Flux Sensors by a Radiative Source', 7th International Workshop on Radiation of High Temperature Gases in Atmospheric Entry, Springer Link, Europe, pp. 1-8.
- Ceglia, G, Trifoni, E, Gouriet, J et al. 2016, 'Experimental investigation on IXV TPS interface effects in Plasmatron', CEAS Space Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 65-75.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Musto, M et al. 2016, 'Methodology for spectral emissivity measurement by means of single color pyrometer', Measurement, vol. 82, pp. 403-409.
- Cappelletti, A, Martelli, F, Bianchi, E et al. 2014, 'Numerical redesign of 100kw MGT combustor for 100% H2 fueling', ATI 2013 - 68th Conference of the Italian Thermal Machines Engineering Association, ed. G.L. Morini, M. Bianchi, C. Saccani, A. Cocchi, Elsevier BV, Netherlands, pp. 1412-1421.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Alfano, D et al. 2013, 'Materials surface emissivity analyses performed by the combined use of dual and single color optical pyrometers', 64th International Astronautical Congress, International Astronautical Federation (IAF), Beijing, pp. 1-8.
- Di Clemente, M, Trifoni, E & Marini, M 2013, 'Numerical and Experimental Analyses on Re-entry Vehicle Control Surfaces', AIAA SPACE 2013 Conference and Exposition, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-24.
- Pezzella, G, Catalano, P, Fumo, M et al. 2012, 'Aerodynamics and Aerothermodynamics Analyses of a Earth-Re-entry Capsule for Sample Return Mission in the framework of RASTAS SPEAR project', 63rd International Astronautical Congress, ed. N/A, International Astronautical Federation, Italy, pp. 1790-1799.
- Cristofolini, A, Borghi, C, Neretti, G et al. 2012, 'Experimental investigations on the MHD interaction around a blunt body in a hypersonic unseeded air flows', 43rd AIAA Plasmadynamics and Lasers Conference 2012, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-14.
- Cristofolini, A, Borghi, C, Neretti, G et al. 2012, 'MHD Interaction around a Blunt Body in a Hypersonic Unseeded Air Flow: Experimental Results and Numerical Rebuilding', 18th AIAA/3AF International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Aerospace Research Central, France, pp. 1-15.
- Cristofolini, A, Borghi, C, Neretti, G et al. 2012, 'Experimental investigations on the magneto-hydro-dynamic interaction around a blunt body in a hypersonic unseeded air flows', Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 112, no. 9, pp. 1-12.
- Purpura, C, De Filippis, F, Trifoni, E et al. 2012, 'Comparison between Probe Stagnation Point Heat Flux Measurements and Correlation Formulas in SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel Tests', 18th AIAA/3AF International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Aerospace Research Central, France, pp. 1-7.
- Purpura, C, Trifoni, E, Barrera, F et al. 2012, 'Experimental investigation of the emissivity of the expert flap in scirocco plasma wind tunnel tests', 63rd International Astronautical Congress 2012, IAC 2012, Conference Organising Committee, Naples Italy.
- Briguglio, N, Ferraro, M, Dispenza, G et al. 2012, 'Development of a compact PEM electrolyzer system for applications with microdistributed renewable sources', ECS Transactions, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 95-100.
- Siracusano, S, Baglio, V, Briguglio, N et al. 2012, 'An electrochemical study of a PEM stack for water electrolysis', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 37, no. 2, pp. 1939-1946.
- Di Clemente, M, Trifoni, E, Walpot, L et al. 2012, 'Aerothermal rebuilding of plasma wind tunnel tests on the expert capsule open flap', 43rd AIAA Thermophysics Conference, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-17.
- Di Benedetto, S, Rufolo, G, Marini, M et al. 2012, 'European Experimental Reentry Testbed winglet: From in-flight characterization to SCIROCCO test', AIAA Journal, vol. 50, no. 10, pp. 2043-2056.
- Di Clemente, M, Trifoni, E, Martucci, A et al. 2011, 'Design, execution and numerical rebuilding of shock wave boundary layer interaction experiment in a plasma wind tunnel', in J D Pereira (ed.), Wind Tunnels: Aerodynamics, Models and Experiments, Nova Science Publishers Inc, United Kingdom, pp. 1-68.
- Siracusano, S, Di Blasi, A, Baglio, V et al. 2011, 'Optimization of components and assembling in a PEM electrolyzer stack', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 36, no. 5, pp. 3333-3339.
- Di Benedetto, S, Rufolo, G, Marini, M et al. 2011, 'Rebuilding and Analysis of a SCIROCCO PWT Test on a Large TPS Demonstrator', in Satoru Okamoto (ed.), Wind Tunnels, InTech Open Access Publisher, London, pp. 1-28.
- Baccarella, D, Passaro, A, Cristofolini, A et al. 2011, 'MHD Flow Control Experiment in Air: Test Article Design', 17th AIAA International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference 2011, Aerospace Research Central, United States, pp. 1-9.
- Siracusano, S, Baglio, V, Di Blasi, A et al. 2010, 'Electrochemical characterization of single cell and short stack PEM electrolyzers based on a nanosized IrO2 anode electrocatalyst', International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, vol. 35, no. 11, pp. 5558-5568.
- Esposito, A, De Rosa, F, De Filippis, F et al. 2009, 'A new concept of heat-flux probe for the Scirocco Plasma Wind Tunnel', 16th AIAA/DLR/DGLR International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems and Technologies Conference, Conference Organising Committee, Bremen, pp. -.
- Di Benedetto, S, Rufolo, G, Marini, M et al. 2009, 'Aerothermodynamic analysis of a scirocco plasma wind tunnel test on a large tps demonstrator and comparison with experimental results', 6th European Symposium on Aerothermodynamics for Space Vehicles, ed. Ouwehand, L. Noordwijk, ESA Communication Production Office, France.
- Purpura, C, De Filippis, F, Graps, E et al. 2007, 'The GHIBLI plasma wind tunnel: Description of the new CIRA-PWT facility', Acta Astronautica, vol. 61, no. 1-6, pp. 331-340.
Projects and Grants
Grants information is drawn from ARIES. To add or update Projects or Grants information please contact your College Research Office.
- Prototype testing of New Frontier Technologies carbon composite rocket interstage #2 (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of New Frontier Technologies carbon composite rocket interstage. (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of DSTG Buccaneer Main Mission engineering model #3 (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of University of Sydney CUAVA-2 and Waratah Seed 1 satellites (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of Curtin University Binar-234 satellite (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of University of Sydney Waratah Seed 1 satellite (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of Kanyini satellite (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of Skykraft Block 4.0 satellite solar arrays (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of Skykraft Block 4.0 satellite battery insulation (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of CEA L-band Filter (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of CEA CEATEL units (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of DSTG Buccaneer Main Mission engineering model #2 (Primary Investigator)
- NSTF Prototype testing of DSTG Buccaneer Main Mission engineering model (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of Inovor Hyperion engineering model (Primary Investigator)
- RMS Star Shot - Airbus SPA collaboration (Secondary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of DSTG space materials (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of University of Melbourne SpIRIT satellite (Primary Investigator)
- Prototype testing of EM Solutions satellite transponder (Primary Investigator)
- Establishing the National Space Qualification Network (NSQN) (Secondary Investigator)
