Microprojectile velocities in a gas driven launcher

Microprojectile methods of genetic engineering sometimes employ a macroprojectile which launches the microprojectiles when it hits a stopping plate. A study has been made of the relationship between the velocities of the macroprojectile and the microprojectile it launches. Macroprojectile velocities were measured using a beam blanking method and the microprojectile velocities were measured with a laser Doppler anemometer. Particles of tungsten, titanium dioxide and silicon carbide were investigated as microprojectiles. The microprojectile velocity was found to depend not only on the macroprojectile velocity but also on the microprojectile size and material, the bond strength with the macroprojectile and the gas flow that develops ahead of the macroprojectile. On average the microprojectile launch velocity was similar to the macroprojectile velocity. However, some tungsten particles had velocities twice this value. Experimental evidence suggests that these higher velocities were caused by early break-way of particles from the macroprojectile followed by further acceleration by aerodynamic drag arising from the gas flow ahead of the macroprojectile.We are especially grateful for the advice of Dr. M. Gharib on the use of the HSI color system. John Lyons provided expert help in the laboratory and materials for and advice on photography. We thank the staff of the SIO Hydraulics Laboratory for making the wind-wave channel available for our use, and the staff of UCSD library for enabling us to use the Barneyscanner photometer-digitizer. We thank an anonymous reviewer who pointed out a numerical error and improved the clarity of the text.